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Looking For Lucy
Clementine needs to find Lucy before it's all too late. She also knows bringing up a child on your own down on Emerald Street where the street walkers ply their trade isn't easy, even when your daughter's as adorable as four-year-old Allegra.
When Peter Broadbent, wealthy, kind and possessed of the most beautiful house Clementine has ever seen, proposes, she knows it seems almost too good to be true.
Will this be the happy-ever-after Clementine deserves, or will her dreams come crumbling down around her?
Praise for Looking for Lucy:'A real page-turner. You'll laugh and cry, but not be able to put it down as Julie's trademark humour shines through from beginning to end' Cassam Book Blog.
'This is one of those novels that makes you want to read "just one more chapter" before you turn out the light, and that chapter turns into several more' Big Bertha, Amazon Top 500 Reviewer.
'I became so engrossed in this story I couldn't stop – kept going for just another chapter, and another, until I'd read straight through to the end. I loved it – the magic five for me, a wonderful read and one to keep for rereading' Jeannie Zelos Book Reviews.
'An absolutely briliant read. This will definitely be a book to look out for in 2016 and I, for one, will be recommending it at every opportunity' I Love Smart Books.
480 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 19, 2019
299 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 20, 2020
Clementine would do anything for her daughter, Allegra, which is why her friends can’t figure out why she’d add the difficulty of raising her on Emerald Street. Though she guards them, Clementine has her reasons, starting with her devotion to finding her twin sister, Lucy. But when Peter, a wealthy and frequent guest at the restaurant where she works, proposes, Clementine, for perhaps the first time in a long time, seriously considers how good her future could be. However, as she well knows, happy endings rarely come easy or as planned.
Julie Houston is one of the best storytellers working today. It’s a big statement, but rarely has there been an author with her ability to consistently craft a book with so much heart.
In Looking for Lucy, that heart rests entirely with Clementine. Determined and radiant, her focus is on bettering the world for her daughter—even if it leads to some seemingly unorthodox decisions. She practically bounds from the page, tackling hardship and problems without breaking a sweat—she simply doesn’t have the time for that—before seemingly striking gold when Peter proposes.
And this is where Houston really works her magic. Peter is not necessarily the most likable character. Although not exactly overt, he needles and wheedles to get what he wants—though he still has charm. This produces such a rich dilemma for Lucy that’s both morally complicated and compelling, and her decision spirals into a legitimately shocking event that permeates the rest of the book. From there, things shift to a story of family in all of its abundant drama that spotlights Clementine as the remarkable mother she really is.
But it’s not always so serious. Houston’s back at her best with laugh-out-loud one-liners and scenarios. As Clementine shifts into her new life, new career, and new dynamic, she surrounds herself with a group of friends that will be familiar to anyone who’s read Houston’s other novels. Between their gentle ribbing and Clementine’s own run-ins with her neighbor’s animals, there’s always a light moment to cut through when things get too heavy.
Not surprisingly, Julie Houston has offered up yet another success. Here’s hoping for many more of her gorgeous novels in the years to come.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book through NetGalley.
Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpres...
Julie Houston is one of the best storytellers working today. It’s a big statement, but rarely has there been an author with her ability to consistently craft a book with so much heart.
In Looking for Lucy, that heart rests entirely with Clementine. Determined and radiant, her focus is on bettering the world for her daughter—even if it leads to some seemingly unorthodox decisions. She practically bounds from the page, tackling hardship and problems without breaking a sweat—she simply doesn’t have the time for that—before seemingly striking gold when Peter proposes.
And this is where Houston really works her magic. Peter is not necessarily the most likable character. Although not exactly overt, he needles and wheedles to get what he wants—though he still has charm. This produces such a rich dilemma for Lucy that’s both morally complicated and compelling, and her decision spirals into a legitimately shocking event that permeates the rest of the book. From there, things shift to a story of family in all of its abundant drama that spotlights Clementine as the remarkable mother she really is.
But it’s not always so serious. Houston’s back at her best with laugh-out-loud one-liners and scenarios. As Clementine shifts into her new life, new career, and new dynamic, she surrounds herself with a group of friends that will be familiar to anyone who’s read Houston’s other novels. Between their gentle ribbing and Clementine’s own run-ins with her neighbor’s animals, there’s always a light moment to cut through when things get too heavy.
Not surprisingly, Julie Houston has offered up yet another success. Here’s hoping for many more of her gorgeous novels in the years to come.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book through NetGalley.
Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpres...
April 11, 2021
Another great read by Julie Houston. I particularly enjoyed the part about the battle of Orgreave, I remember it well as I live in Rotherham. Glad I have a few more to read and will start the next one immediately, however work will get in the way of my reading these wonderful books as I return to work tomorrow!
December 13, 2019
Loved it!! This is my favorite book by Julie Houston so far. I loved getting reacquainted with all the characters from the previous books. Clementine fits in perfect with Grace and Harriet. I so want to be friends with them!!! I thought the book was going to be about Clementine's search for her sister, but really that is such a small part of the book. Lucy pretty much showed up whenever Clementine wasn't looking for her. Lucy definitely wasn't what I was expecting. There were so many twists and turns. So many hidden secrets. I never knew what Clementine was going to reveal to her friends. There were many humorous moments.
Definitely recommend the book. I loved the characters, story and writing style. I hope there's more books with Harriet, Grace and Clementine or any character in Midhope.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Aria through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Definitely recommend the book. I loved the characters, story and writing style. I hope there's more books with Harriet, Grace and Clementine or any character in Midhope.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Aria through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
April 7, 2019
Book toread
This was a book that I couldn't put down
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.
A really great ending so glad she found happiness
This was a book that I couldn't put down
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.
A really great ending so glad she found happiness
October 24, 2017
Great series!
Enjoyed each of the stories of a diverse group of women who find their way to friendship through the set backs and triumphs in their lives. Hopefully there are more adventures to come.
Enjoyed each of the stories of a diverse group of women who find their way to friendship through the set backs and triumphs in their lives. Hopefully there are more adventures to come.
August 27, 2016
All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
I would like to say thank you to Julie Houston for inviting me to review her book, personally. The cover had me intrigued from the moment that I laid eyes on it on Twitter, and it was definitely one that kept making an appearance. I just HAD to read it.
Clementine lives on her own with her daughter Allegra, unfortunately, they don't exactly live in a sought after area. Well, unless you're a lady of the night that is. Clementine needed to give her daughter a roof over her head and ensure some stability was kept. But why Emerald Street? Aside from the fact everything was within walking distance, why take your child to an area where everyone looks down their noses at? Clementine gets some 'luck' thrown her way, and opportunity to up sticks and make a better life for herself and her daughter....with a man she can barely call an acquaintance. She's only doing right by her daughter and keeping her safe, right? There's got to be a catch....
I think I spent the first two chapters frowning at what I was reading! It wasn't the fact that I didn't like WHAT I was reading, I just kept thinking to myself 'where does Lucy come into this? WHO is Lucy?'. Not that it would have been evident after the second chapter mind, but I'm clearly not the most patient of people!
After giving myself a stern talking to about my lack of patience, I carried on with the story. Funnily enough, things started to make an impact, and foundations were laid for a series of events that, at the time, I didn't have a clue about (obviously). It's amazing what happens when you're patient eh!
It's safe to say that I became rather sucked into the story and everything the storyline had to offer. It felt as though every single page had something on it to make me think, I kept trying to marry the 'clues' that I thought I had found, but they seemed to be a red herring. Either that or they weren't clues!
I did feel sorry for Clementine throughout a lot of the book because she was trying to do her best and kept having the rug pulled from under her. Sometimes her 'best' came back to bite her on her junk in the trunk, but she still carried on regardless. Even though there was a lot within the book to keep my mind occupied, I felt as though the storyline was just taking a little stroll and flowing...nicely. I was waiting for something, the shock factor if you will.
But then, out of nowhere, the shock factor slapped me in the face. It was literally a case of mouth wide open, gasping, shouting at the book, and even teary! Part of me did think that maybe it came a little late in the book, but then another part of me thought that if it had come too early, there would have been nothing to hold onto. By golly did I hold on though, and I'm glad that I did because it was such an unexpected book. By that I mean certain situations snuck up on me and my reaction to the events later on in the book were also unexpected. I finished this book 16 days ago and it is STILL fresh in my mind and a book that I keep thinking about.
'Looking for Lucy' is such a gritty and eventful book which also set multiple scenes for various types of emotion. I underestimated my reaction to this book quite drastically, but, 'Looking for Lucy' is definitely a book not to be underestimated. Julie Houston is very clever in writing characters with intense depth and bringing unfortunate circumstances to 'life', such a great read.
I would like to say thank you to Julie Houston for inviting me to review her book, personally. The cover had me intrigued from the moment that I laid eyes on it on Twitter, and it was definitely one that kept making an appearance. I just HAD to read it.
Clementine lives on her own with her daughter Allegra, unfortunately, they don't exactly live in a sought after area. Well, unless you're a lady of the night that is. Clementine needed to give her daughter a roof over her head and ensure some stability was kept. But why Emerald Street? Aside from the fact everything was within walking distance, why take your child to an area where everyone looks down their noses at? Clementine gets some 'luck' thrown her way, and opportunity to up sticks and make a better life for herself and her daughter....with a man she can barely call an acquaintance. She's only doing right by her daughter and keeping her safe, right? There's got to be a catch....
I think I spent the first two chapters frowning at what I was reading! It wasn't the fact that I didn't like WHAT I was reading, I just kept thinking to myself 'where does Lucy come into this? WHO is Lucy?'. Not that it would have been evident after the second chapter mind, but I'm clearly not the most patient of people!
After giving myself a stern talking to about my lack of patience, I carried on with the story. Funnily enough, things started to make an impact, and foundations were laid for a series of events that, at the time, I didn't have a clue about (obviously). It's amazing what happens when you're patient eh!
It's safe to say that I became rather sucked into the story and everything the storyline had to offer. It felt as though every single page had something on it to make me think, I kept trying to marry the 'clues' that I thought I had found, but they seemed to be a red herring. Either that or they weren't clues!
I did feel sorry for Clementine throughout a lot of the book because she was trying to do her best and kept having the rug pulled from under her. Sometimes her 'best' came back to bite her on her junk in the trunk, but she still carried on regardless. Even though there was a lot within the book to keep my mind occupied, I felt as though the storyline was just taking a little stroll and flowing...nicely. I was waiting for something, the shock factor if you will.
But then, out of nowhere, the shock factor slapped me in the face. It was literally a case of mouth wide open, gasping, shouting at the book, and even teary! Part of me did think that maybe it came a little late in the book, but then another part of me thought that if it had come too early, there would have been nothing to hold onto. By golly did I hold on though, and I'm glad that I did because it was such an unexpected book. By that I mean certain situations snuck up on me and my reaction to the events later on in the book were also unexpected. I finished this book 16 days ago and it is STILL fresh in my mind and a book that I keep thinking about.
'Looking for Lucy' is such a gritty and eventful book which also set multiple scenes for various types of emotion. I underestimated my reaction to this book quite drastically, but, 'Looking for Lucy' is definitely a book not to be underestimated. Julie Houston is very clever in writing characters with intense depth and bringing unfortunate circumstances to 'life', such a great read.
December 19, 2019
Another wonderful read from Julie Houston which I didn't realise, prior to reading, included some of the characters from her previous novels - it's a winner!
Clementine lives in a very unsavoury part of Leeds with her daughter, Allegra; she is aware it's not the best of addresses but she has her reasons for being there - apart from money being tight - and is working her socks off at her part-time job whilst completing her degree. Then along comes Peter who introduces both of them to a different, more affluent way of life and proposes marriage. Is it all too good to be true?
With the author's trademark warmth and understanding, this is a beautifully created story which fits in with her recent books, although it is totally different. With plenty going on - a bit of a mystery, family dynamics and the fabulous fun which is injected into all Julie's novels, I was thoroughly captivated by this one. I can imagine that there was a fair bit of research into producing such accurate details (especially the food!) and I just loved everything about it. With plenty going on, ups and downs along with a few unexpected twists, this one ticked all my boxes and left me with a feeling of great satisfaction. Totally worth all five glowing stars and a hearty recommendation from me to read not only this one, but also the author's preceding novels.
Clementine lives in a very unsavoury part of Leeds with her daughter, Allegra; she is aware it's not the best of addresses but she has her reasons for being there - apart from money being tight - and is working her socks off at her part-time job whilst completing her degree. Then along comes Peter who introduces both of them to a different, more affluent way of life and proposes marriage. Is it all too good to be true?
With the author's trademark warmth and understanding, this is a beautifully created story which fits in with her recent books, although it is totally different. With plenty going on - a bit of a mystery, family dynamics and the fabulous fun which is injected into all Julie's novels, I was thoroughly captivated by this one. I can imagine that there was a fair bit of research into producing such accurate details (especially the food!) and I just loved everything about it. With plenty going on, ups and downs along with a few unexpected twists, this one ticked all my boxes and left me with a feeling of great satisfaction. Totally worth all five glowing stars and a hearty recommendation from me to read not only this one, but also the author's preceding novels.
December 23, 2020
Very few in the adoption world use the term “real mother” anymore. If only writers would stop maybe other people would too! 2 stars for making me cringe so very often in an otherwise good story. It was written in 2016–and the term was outdated long before then.
April 7, 2016
Looking For Lucy, Julie Houston
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: Humour, Women’s Fiction.
Well, I loved Julie’s second book, and as I’ve just seen the first, which I’ve not read, is on Kindle Unlimited I’ve borrowed that to read too! When, I don’t know – so many books, so little time! Anyway, all this came about as Julie now has book three out and I was lucky enough to get an early copy for review.
Once more we meet the gang of Harriet, Grace and Amanda, plus husbands, kids, parents and others, and a few new faces jopin the group. Its the same tangled web of life, twining the intricacies of everyday life with a dollop of laugh out loud humour, typical family problems with children, partners, parents, schools, jobs, pets even, and then running through this mix is the mystery of Lucy. Who is Lucy? Who’s looking for her – and why? All gets revealed as the story flows out, and we find that all these characters really do share that “six degrees of separation”. I kept thinking I’d guessed who Lucy was, then when we knew who she was I was guessing how she fitted into the group – and got it all wrong. Its one of those stories that starts with a small group that expands and expands, and by the end there’s a huge gathering of connected people, some who’ve become close friends along the way, as with earlier reads.
At times I was really emotional reading the tales that come out, there are some really sad but true to life events, and then Julie throws in another slapstick moment, a one liner comment or something that brings the mood up. Its a great balance, a story that is very deeply moving and tear-jerking in parts, very haunting, and yet saved from being one of those that make you feel depressed for the characters by the wonderful humour woven through.
I loved meeting the old friends – though it took me a little while to remember who was partnered with who, and I still can’t really warm to Amanda...( though I loved it when much later in the book she took them to a club for a girls night out. Recommeneded by her teenage son it turned out to be a gay bar – and was a wondeful night, with some fabulous snarky comments from the guy who was their waiter at the place they'd been earlier, and then showed up there. When he referred to them as part of “the antiques roadshow”, said Heirloom Tomatoes were what your granny keeps under the bed with the family silver... and lines like that – he was a great character.
Clementine is the lead charater and a great addition to the group of ladies, as is her doctor friend Izzy. The humour is set early, with me sniggering at Clementine’s description of her uniform while she’s waitressing at The Black Swan pub, black apron and feathered swan cap supposed to give the appearance of graceful, gliding swans, but in reality made them look more like “malevolent black crows” ...I could just visualize it. Its there she meets Peter, and the ball starts rolling when he asks her out...to a Roundheads V Cavaliers re-enactment group. Poor Clementine, he’s a nice guy but...then again her friend Izzy has been saying she needs to date, and somehow she finds herself agreeing and being proudly presented by Peter to his hero, Oliver Cromwell. He's desparately he'll be impressed by Clementine, encouraged by his bringing someone new to the group and promote him to the haloed post of Muskets from his current one of Pikestaff. He’s such a good man, and so keen on his group and his hero worship of Oliver ( Neville I think the guys name is...but he’s Oliver Cromwell to me).
Soon Clementine and her young daughter Allegra are at Peter’s house more and more, where he’s somehow inserting them into his life, and she’s busy cooking in his fabulous kitchen. She loves to cook, was working as a chef in a top restaurant before having Allegra and living in their current home. That’s a tiny terrace in the heart of one of the red light areas of the city, it just doesn’t allow her free rein, nor do her finances. Her next door neighbour has a pit bull – it’s forever throwing itself at the fence, terrifying Allegra while the owner shouts out “shut the F- up” etc. I loved though when Peter got into an altercation with the owner, and it’s revealed the dogs name is Cyril!! Yep – it just doesn't fit does it? ( A small rant from me here about owners like that – they don’t deserve dogs, they train them to be dangerous for their own warped reasons, and then the poor dogs get to suffer the consequences...) Peters home is a huge change from that, a beautiful, rambling, old building with a myriad of outbuildings and a wonderful garden. His neighbours are David and Amanda, Amanda knows Grace and Harriet and once they meet at a dinner party Peter arranges their lives become irrevocably entwined.
Its a wonderful look at life, at how circumstances shape what happens, about choices we make, about how some people take one route and another goes a different way. I loved Clementine ( and Allegra) and wanted so much for things to work out for them- just when it looks like it will though its all change again, with drama from all corners. Then it gets lightened by such moments as Izzy’s Show and Tell tale...all parents dread those ;-) and what her son took to it, unknown to her. Lets just say its something most mums want to keep hidden from kids, and certainly from Show and Tell. Poor Sid couldn't understand why Miss Walters didn’t like it, he thought it was lovely, all pink and rubbery and when it buzzed it tickled his hand.....its moments like those that bring light just when things get really intense. Towards the end it was getting like that, Clementine had been through so much, it would have floored a lesser person but she kept on through it doing what was best for the kids, and then she texts back a reply to someone she’s really attracted to. And who hasn’t pressed “send” too soon? We’ve all done it but poor Clementine sends a truncated message that's way embarrassing. Its raining, she’s been shopping, she's tired, its a crush on the bus home and she sends “ I’m hot, wet and ready to come” ….. Home, that's what should have been the final word, Home, but she was too quick, and God, it made me snigger so much. Its the kind of thing I’d do, and then be in agonies of mortification thinking about its reception.
You can read this without needing to read earlier books, but they do link together and when I've read the first book, I'm going to reread the next two. ( time, where does it go?) Its a long book at 7000+ locations ( I’d guess around 400 pages), which is great as it really lets Julie delve into plots and issues properly. I’ve read two books this past weekend that have been just 120 ish pages, and they packed so much in such a short space everything felt superficial and unreal. ( I usually avoid short reads for this very reason but didn’t have details when I requested them) Not so here, the people, the events, everything that happened I felt part of it with them, cried when they did and laughed along with them.
As its so long I’d intended to read only half, before going back to another review book I hadn’t finished. That one was quite dark, though I loved it I found it very intense and draining and I wanted to lighten my mood for a while, but I got so engrossed in this story and the characters I couldn’t stop, kept going for just another chapter, and another, until I'd read straight through to the end. I loved it – it does mean today I’ve got the rest of the dark read to finish though, but I'll just think “show and tell” or texting when I need a smile.
Stars: the magic five for me, a wonderful read and one to keep for rereading
ARC supplied by author for review purposes
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: Humour, Women’s Fiction.
Well, I loved Julie’s second book, and as I’ve just seen the first, which I’ve not read, is on Kindle Unlimited I’ve borrowed that to read too! When, I don’t know – so many books, so little time! Anyway, all this came about as Julie now has book three out and I was lucky enough to get an early copy for review.
Once more we meet the gang of Harriet, Grace and Amanda, plus husbands, kids, parents and others, and a few new faces jopin the group. Its the same tangled web of life, twining the intricacies of everyday life with a dollop of laugh out loud humour, typical family problems with children, partners, parents, schools, jobs, pets even, and then running through this mix is the mystery of Lucy. Who is Lucy? Who’s looking for her – and why? All gets revealed as the story flows out, and we find that all these characters really do share that “six degrees of separation”. I kept thinking I’d guessed who Lucy was, then when we knew who she was I was guessing how she fitted into the group – and got it all wrong. Its one of those stories that starts with a small group that expands and expands, and by the end there’s a huge gathering of connected people, some who’ve become close friends along the way, as with earlier reads.
At times I was really emotional reading the tales that come out, there are some really sad but true to life events, and then Julie throws in another slapstick moment, a one liner comment or something that brings the mood up. Its a great balance, a story that is very deeply moving and tear-jerking in parts, very haunting, and yet saved from being one of those that make you feel depressed for the characters by the wonderful humour woven through.
I loved meeting the old friends – though it took me a little while to remember who was partnered with who, and I still can’t really warm to Amanda...( though I loved it when much later in the book she took them to a club for a girls night out. Recommeneded by her teenage son it turned out to be a gay bar – and was a wondeful night, with some fabulous snarky comments from the guy who was their waiter at the place they'd been earlier, and then showed up there. When he referred to them as part of “the antiques roadshow”, said Heirloom Tomatoes were what your granny keeps under the bed with the family silver... and lines like that – he was a great character.
Clementine is the lead charater and a great addition to the group of ladies, as is her doctor friend Izzy. The humour is set early, with me sniggering at Clementine’s description of her uniform while she’s waitressing at The Black Swan pub, black apron and feathered swan cap supposed to give the appearance of graceful, gliding swans, but in reality made them look more like “malevolent black crows” ...I could just visualize it. Its there she meets Peter, and the ball starts rolling when he asks her out...to a Roundheads V Cavaliers re-enactment group. Poor Clementine, he’s a nice guy but...then again her friend Izzy has been saying she needs to date, and somehow she finds herself agreeing and being proudly presented by Peter to his hero, Oliver Cromwell. He's desparately he'll be impressed by Clementine, encouraged by his bringing someone new to the group and promote him to the haloed post of Muskets from his current one of Pikestaff. He’s such a good man, and so keen on his group and his hero worship of Oliver ( Neville I think the guys name is...but he’s Oliver Cromwell to me).
Soon Clementine and her young daughter Allegra are at Peter’s house more and more, where he’s somehow inserting them into his life, and she’s busy cooking in his fabulous kitchen. She loves to cook, was working as a chef in a top restaurant before having Allegra and living in their current home. That’s a tiny terrace in the heart of one of the red light areas of the city, it just doesn’t allow her free rein, nor do her finances. Her next door neighbour has a pit bull – it’s forever throwing itself at the fence, terrifying Allegra while the owner shouts out “shut the F- up” etc. I loved though when Peter got into an altercation with the owner, and it’s revealed the dogs name is Cyril!! Yep – it just doesn't fit does it? ( A small rant from me here about owners like that – they don’t deserve dogs, they train them to be dangerous for their own warped reasons, and then the poor dogs get to suffer the consequences...) Peters home is a huge change from that, a beautiful, rambling, old building with a myriad of outbuildings and a wonderful garden. His neighbours are David and Amanda, Amanda knows Grace and Harriet and once they meet at a dinner party Peter arranges their lives become irrevocably entwined.
Its a wonderful look at life, at how circumstances shape what happens, about choices we make, about how some people take one route and another goes a different way. I loved Clementine ( and Allegra) and wanted so much for things to work out for them- just when it looks like it will though its all change again, with drama from all corners. Then it gets lightened by such moments as Izzy’s Show and Tell tale...all parents dread those ;-) and what her son took to it, unknown to her. Lets just say its something most mums want to keep hidden from kids, and certainly from Show and Tell. Poor Sid couldn't understand why Miss Walters didn’t like it, he thought it was lovely, all pink and rubbery and when it buzzed it tickled his hand.....its moments like those that bring light just when things get really intense. Towards the end it was getting like that, Clementine had been through so much, it would have floored a lesser person but she kept on through it doing what was best for the kids, and then she texts back a reply to someone she’s really attracted to. And who hasn’t pressed “send” too soon? We’ve all done it but poor Clementine sends a truncated message that's way embarrassing. Its raining, she’s been shopping, she's tired, its a crush on the bus home and she sends “ I’m hot, wet and ready to come” ….. Home, that's what should have been the final word, Home, but she was too quick, and God, it made me snigger so much. Its the kind of thing I’d do, and then be in agonies of mortification thinking about its reception.
You can read this without needing to read earlier books, but they do link together and when I've read the first book, I'm going to reread the next two. ( time, where does it go?) Its a long book at 7000+ locations ( I’d guess around 400 pages), which is great as it really lets Julie delve into plots and issues properly. I’ve read two books this past weekend that have been just 120 ish pages, and they packed so much in such a short space everything felt superficial and unreal. ( I usually avoid short reads for this very reason but didn’t have details when I requested them) Not so here, the people, the events, everything that happened I felt part of it with them, cried when they did and laughed along with them.
As its so long I’d intended to read only half, before going back to another review book I hadn’t finished. That one was quite dark, though I loved it I found it very intense and draining and I wanted to lighten my mood for a while, but I got so engrossed in this story and the characters I couldn’t stop, kept going for just another chapter, and another, until I'd read straight through to the end. I loved it – it does mean today I’ve got the rest of the dark read to finish though, but I'll just think “show and tell” or texting when I need a smile.
Stars: the magic five for me, a wonderful read and one to keep for rereading
ARC supplied by author for review purposes
February 3, 2023
Wow, there is so much to unpack here, I don't know where to start.
Clementine and Lucy are twins, adopted at birth. Clementine was the 'good twin' and had a great career as a chef in front of her when she had to give it all up to look after her daughter Allegra. Now she lives in the middle of the red light district, barely making ends meet as she studies for a degree in hotel management and waitresses to pay her bills. Lucy was the rebellious twin, things escalated and now Clementine can't find her, she hopes that living on Emerald Street she might run into Lucy one day.
Then Peter, one of Clementine's regular customers at the restaurant, proposes after a short courtship. Clementine doesn't love him but he is kind, adores Allegra and welcomes the two of them to his beautiful home. He even has two children of his own from a former marriage. Also through Peter she meets local businessman and entrepreneur David Henderson who is so impressed with Clementine's cookery at a dinner party that he asks if she would be willing to cater for dinner parties he holds for overseas clients periodically. Could this be the break that Clementine deserves?
Interspersed with Clementine's story and her search for Lucy is also the story of their birth mother Sarah, both when she got pregnant and gave the twins up for adoption and in the present day where she is married to the unfortunately named Reverend Roger Rabbitt and has three other children.
But all that is just the tip of the iceberg, and I don't want to say anymore because it could be spoilery. It was a cracking good read, spoiled only slightly by the fact that I have read some of the later books so I knew some of what would happen to Clementine.
Read on my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Clementine and Lucy are twins, adopted at birth. Clementine was the 'good twin' and had a great career as a chef in front of her when she had to give it all up to look after her daughter Allegra. Now she lives in the middle of the red light district, barely making ends meet as she studies for a degree in hotel management and waitresses to pay her bills. Lucy was the rebellious twin, things escalated and now Clementine can't find her, she hopes that living on Emerald Street she might run into Lucy one day.
Then Peter, one of Clementine's regular customers at the restaurant, proposes after a short courtship. Clementine doesn't love him but he is kind, adores Allegra and welcomes the two of them to his beautiful home. He even has two children of his own from a former marriage. Also through Peter she meets local businessman and entrepreneur David Henderson who is so impressed with Clementine's cookery at a dinner party that he asks if she would be willing to cater for dinner parties he holds for overseas clients periodically. Could this be the break that Clementine deserves?
Interspersed with Clementine's story and her search for Lucy is also the story of their birth mother Sarah, both when she got pregnant and gave the twins up for adoption and in the present day where she is married to the unfortunately named Reverend Roger Rabbitt and has three other children.
But all that is just the tip of the iceberg, and I don't want to say anymore because it could be spoilery. It was a cracking good read, spoiled only slightly by the fact that I have read some of the later books so I knew some of what would happen to Clementine.
Read on my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
November 13, 2019
'Looking For Lucy' was quaint, witty, warm, and... exhausting. After finishing 80% of the book, I still have doubts that I could nail down the plot. Funnily enough, the story line about Clementine finding her twin, Lucy, was much more of an afterthought than what the title would suggest. The writing was absolutely wonderful but when the reader stops reading more than once and maniacally laughs aloud, 'This is never going to end', then maybe some paring down might be in order. ;-)
The read was enjoyable; it just seemed hopelessly rudderless. 3-3.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Aria, and Julie Houston for an ARC of 'Looking For Lucy' in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
The read was enjoyable; it just seemed hopelessly rudderless. 3-3.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Aria, and Julie Houston for an ARC of 'Looking For Lucy' in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
April 26, 2019
My favourite.
After everyone of Julie’s books, I’ve said it was my favourite. After reading Looking for Lucy, I definitely know this book is my favourite. I enjoyed Clementine’s story with its twists & turns & I want to be her friend along with Harriet, Grace, Izzy & Mel.
Thank you Julie for taking me to Midhope.
After everyone of Julie’s books, I’ve said it was my favourite. After reading Looking for Lucy, I definitely know this book is my favourite. I enjoyed Clementine’s story with its twists & turns & I want to be her friend along with Harriet, Grace, Izzy & Mel.
Thank you Julie for taking me to Midhope.
December 11, 2019
This book has it all: laugh out loud moments, twists and turns of the plot and recurring characters make for a book you may not be able to put down. The main character, Clementine, has dealt with a lot, and is not finding life too easy. Can she give her daughter a brighter future at the expense of her own? Life doesn't always turn out the way we think it will!
August 12, 2021
This was a fun book that I got into quite quickly,it wasn't your normal chick lit which was quite refreshing and despite the title looking for Lucy wasn't really what the book was about. There were plenty of good characters including a few from previous books and I soon found myself rooting for Clementine
March 5, 2019
Loved this
This my second book and I think I enjoyed it even more, having got to know some of the characters before. I can't wait to read another.
This my second book and I think I enjoyed it even more, having got to know some of the characters before. I can't wait to read another.
June 15, 2019
Spin off from previous novel
Sweet story but packed in too many themes and was a spin off using characters from previous novels. Unlike first books it was unrealistic in its plot.
Sweet story but packed in too many themes and was a spin off using characters from previous novels. Unlike first books it was unrealistic in its plot.
July 3, 2019
Loved this book
Not your average chic lit, in fact it had a good storyline. Dialogue was great well worth a read. Enjoy.
Not your average chic lit, in fact it had a good storyline. Dialogue was great well worth a read. Enjoy.
February 7, 2020
Fantastic
Love this book, found it hard to put it down. The storyline was one I found myself lost in and can't wait to read the next one. Well done Julie.
Love this book, found it hard to put it down. The storyline was one I found myself lost in and can't wait to read the next one. Well done Julie.
June 5, 2023
Fantastic, as always!
October 18, 2023
Great Read
Well written book, full of twists and turns
A lovely mix of humour and the serious side of life
Highly recommend
Well written book, full of twists and turns
A lovely mix of humour and the serious side of life
Highly recommend
April 7, 2016
The description of this book was so intriguing. I knew there would be humour, and there was throughout - I can sometimes be a bit picky about what I find funny, but it was always quite perfectly judged, mostly gentle, sometimes really laugh-out-loud, all wonderfully done. There's a fair bit of seriousness too - it doesn't pull many punches in its depiction of the realities of prostitution and the impact of drugs or the general squalor of the backstreets of a Yorkshire city. But it never ever gets really "heavy" - as with the humour, it's quite perfectly balanced. The big question around whether marrying money could be seen as only a whisper away from selling it on the streets is there and clear, but in the background and never pushed.
The characterisation in this book is so excellent. I loved Clementine from the moment I met her, picking up the used condom in her Emerald Street back yard as the pit bull next door throws itself against the fence. She's doing everything she can to be a good mother to little Allegra - not much money, but oodles of love - and when Peter appears with his offer to take her away from all that, and offer them a different life... well, you would, wouldn't you? Shame about his passion for historical reenactment though - it's not often you come across Oliver Cromwell in a modern novel. And as the story unfolds, maybe it's a shame about some of the other parts of his life too.
Peter is particularly vividly drawn - but so are the book's other leading men, Rafe and David, sure to get you a little hot under the collar. And I loved the female friends in this book, and the way that friendship is depicted with its support and shared secrets. The children too are excellent - Allegra, young Max, bolshie and very real teenager Sophie. And George the dog will most certainly have a place in your heart. And I haven't mentioned Lucy, have I, and where she fits in? Ah well - you'll need to read the book...
Some of the set pieces are wonderful - little scenes you can see quite clearly in your head and which would work so perfectly in a TV dramatisation, whether it's Sarah (in a second storyline) having her car lifted off the plinth of a bollard by some passing rugby players or the really wonderful one involving a horse in trouble and one of the main characters stripped down to her bra.
The writing is excellent - whether it's the great dialogue, peppered with a real Yorkshire flavour, wonderfully real conversations, or the vivid descriptions of the countryside, beautiful homes (and the not so beautiful), the back streets or simply the food. The plotting equally so, with its secrets and well-timed revelations and all its twists and turns - perfectly paced, with brilliant timing. And - although you don't, by any means, need to be local to enjoy it - for me there was something rather lovely about reading a book set against a backdrop I recognised - a restaurant in Ilkley, a girls' night out in Leeds, shopping in the Trinity Centre, the shopping village outside York (even Wetherby gets a few mentions).
Don't be concerned for one moment that Looking For Lucy is described as Book 3 of the Midhope novels - it's very much a stand-alone. But if you don't want to go back and read the first two books after enjoying this one, I'll be amazed - I'm certainly going to. I'm delighted to have added another author to my personal "must read" list - this book was just wonderful.
The characterisation in this book is so excellent. I loved Clementine from the moment I met her, picking up the used condom in her Emerald Street back yard as the pit bull next door throws itself against the fence. She's doing everything she can to be a good mother to little Allegra - not much money, but oodles of love - and when Peter appears with his offer to take her away from all that, and offer them a different life... well, you would, wouldn't you? Shame about his passion for historical reenactment though - it's not often you come across Oliver Cromwell in a modern novel. And as the story unfolds, maybe it's a shame about some of the other parts of his life too.
Peter is particularly vividly drawn - but so are the book's other leading men, Rafe and David, sure to get you a little hot under the collar. And I loved the female friends in this book, and the way that friendship is depicted with its support and shared secrets. The children too are excellent - Allegra, young Max, bolshie and very real teenager Sophie. And George the dog will most certainly have a place in your heart. And I haven't mentioned Lucy, have I, and where she fits in? Ah well - you'll need to read the book...
Some of the set pieces are wonderful - little scenes you can see quite clearly in your head and which would work so perfectly in a TV dramatisation, whether it's Sarah (in a second storyline) having her car lifted off the plinth of a bollard by some passing rugby players or the really wonderful one involving a horse in trouble and one of the main characters stripped down to her bra.
The writing is excellent - whether it's the great dialogue, peppered with a real Yorkshire flavour, wonderfully real conversations, or the vivid descriptions of the countryside, beautiful homes (and the not so beautiful), the back streets or simply the food. The plotting equally so, with its secrets and well-timed revelations and all its twists and turns - perfectly paced, with brilliant timing. And - although you don't, by any means, need to be local to enjoy it - for me there was something rather lovely about reading a book set against a backdrop I recognised - a restaurant in Ilkley, a girls' night out in Leeds, shopping in the Trinity Centre, the shopping village outside York (even Wetherby gets a few mentions).
Don't be concerned for one moment that Looking For Lucy is described as Book 3 of the Midhope novels - it's very much a stand-alone. But if you don't want to go back and read the first two books after enjoying this one, I'll be amazed - I'm certainly going to. I'm delighted to have added another author to my personal "must read" list - this book was just wonderful.
March 30, 2016
Looking For Lucy is the latest book in the Midhope Novels series by Julie Houston. Although its good to see the ladies from the previous books in the series make an appearance, this story can definitely be read as a standalone, and in a lot of respects is quite different from the previous two. It has a much more serious slant to it, and touches on a whole variety of topics.
However due to the amounts of secrets and lies, and half truths that keep getting unveiled at regular intervals in Looking For Lucy, I'm reluctant to talk too much about the plot. What I can though say is Clementine a marvellous main character, is always trying to act in her four year old daughter, Allegra's best interests with all the decisions she makes. She is big hearted and although may not always be doing things with the anticipated motivation, she is trying to make the best of tough situations.
Her main concern other than Allegra, is Lucy. She is determined to find Lucy but it takes a good while into the book to discover just who Lucy is and then what the motivation is for her to be found.
Was also get chapters from Sarah's point of view, which initially I was wondering where they would fit in, but as her back story is revealed, the links were very clear, and was a good way to allowing the reader to have the knowledge in bite sized sections before she is combined with the rest of the story.
There are moments for all your emotions in this book, from laughter, crying to shock at times, as the story progresses. It is a well written book, that kept me interested and that had plenty of good bits. In some ways its an inspirational story too, about how Clementine pulls herself up continually from tricky situations and tries her hardest to make the best of things.
Thank you to Julie Houston for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.
However due to the amounts of secrets and lies, and half truths that keep getting unveiled at regular intervals in Looking For Lucy, I'm reluctant to talk too much about the plot. What I can though say is Clementine a marvellous main character, is always trying to act in her four year old daughter, Allegra's best interests with all the decisions she makes. She is big hearted and although may not always be doing things with the anticipated motivation, she is trying to make the best of tough situations.
Her main concern other than Allegra, is Lucy. She is determined to find Lucy but it takes a good while into the book to discover just who Lucy is and then what the motivation is for her to be found.
Was also get chapters from Sarah's point of view, which initially I was wondering where they would fit in, but as her back story is revealed, the links were very clear, and was a good way to allowing the reader to have the knowledge in bite sized sections before she is combined with the rest of the story.
There are moments for all your emotions in this book, from laughter, crying to shock at times, as the story progresses. It is a well written book, that kept me interested and that had plenty of good bits. In some ways its an inspirational story too, about how Clementine pulls herself up continually from tricky situations and tries her hardest to make the best of things.
Thank you to Julie Houston for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.
June 14, 2016
I found this book somewhat difficult to get into and I think I missed something crucial at the start. Have seen other people's reviews, perhaps I just wasn't in the right frame of mind for LFL....
This book was definitely a book of two halves, for me the first half was a little weak. As I'd been invited to review it, I carried on -- and found the second half much more engaging and interesting.
Clementine didn't really come alive until after a significant event... After that, her character shone through and her urge to find Lucy became even stronger -- giving a momentum to the book. The children were well described and the circle of friends were warm and cozy-- although I'm not sure I would have revealed so much if I barely knew them!!
Although there were some funny scenes, it wasn't laugh-out-loud humour
All in all, an enjoyable book. I received a review copy in exchange for a fair and honest review
MetLineReader rating 3
This book was definitely a book of two halves, for me the first half was a little weak. As I'd been invited to review it, I carried on -- and found the second half much more engaging and interesting.
Clementine didn't really come alive until after a significant event... After that, her character shone through and her urge to find Lucy became even stronger -- giving a momentum to the book. The children were well described and the circle of friends were warm and cozy-- although I'm not sure I would have revealed so much if I barely knew them!!
Although there were some funny scenes, it wasn't laugh-out-loud humour
All in all, an enjoyable book. I received a review copy in exchange for a fair and honest review
MetLineReader rating 3
June 10, 2016
This is another novel set in the fictional village of Midhope in West / North Yorkshire and it's another great read from the talented Julie Houston. The book is very readable: it's partly narrated by the main character, Clementine, and with good contrast in the other sections where the author takes over. I really liked Clementine. She is a strong character who demonstrates positive qualities of resilience and determination that are used most effectively by the author to drive the novel forwards. I loved the way that Harriet and Grace, the main characters from Julie Houston's earlier novels, feature in Looking for Lucy as supporting players. Along with the setting in Midhope, the inclusion of Harriet and Grace provides continuity between the three novels although Looking for Lucy can easily be read as a stand-alone work. All in all, another unputdownable read!
July 28, 2016
This is the first book I've read by this author. The cover interested me and I thought from the picture and the blurb I had the plot all worked out, but I didn't...not one little bit! The storyline is clever, current, very honest with dashes of humour to keep it from being heavy. There are so many turns in it I don't feel able to say too much in case I add a spoiler by mistake! What I can say is the story had me gripped from the start, wondering where certain characters fitted in, and Clementine, the main protagonist, was portrayed in a very realistic way, by which I mean that there were times when I didn't agree with the choices she made, and the fact I gave a damn about that shows how much I liked her. A great read, and I will certainly read more by this author.
May 14, 2016
Good easy read
June 22, 2016
Review to come but suffice to say I loved it - Julie never ever listen to your husband - I LOVED IT and knew I would :)
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