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Should I Tell You?
Amber, Lachlan and Raffaele met as teenagers in the Cornish seaside home of kind-hearted foster parents. Years on, the bond between them is unbreakable
But Amber has a secret. She's in love with Lachlan. She can't tell him, because that would never work - he's definitely not the settling-down type. Surely it's better to keep him as a friend than to risk losing him for good?
Raffaele has his own dilemma. He had the dream girlfriend in Vee, until it all went horribly wrong . . . and he still can't understand why. Is Vee hiding something from him?
Now their widowed foster dad Teddy has found new love. Younger, charming and beautiful, Olga seems perfect. But is she? Or will she break Teddy's fragile heart?
Against a backdrop of sparkling seas and sunny skies, the unexpected is always just around the corner. Welcome to Lanrock!
But Amber has a secret. She's in love with Lachlan. She can't tell him, because that would never work - he's definitely not the settling-down type. Surely it's better to keep him as a friend than to risk losing him for good?
Raffaele has his own dilemma. He had the dream girlfriend in Vee, until it all went horribly wrong . . . and he still can't understand why. Is Vee hiding something from him?
Now their widowed foster dad Teddy has found new love. Younger, charming and beautiful, Olga seems perfect. But is she? Or will she break Teddy's fragile heart?
Against a backdrop of sparkling seas and sunny skies, the unexpected is always just around the corner. Welcome to Lanrock!
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 5, 2022
891 people are currently reading
4490 people want to read
About the author
Jill Mansell
85 books4,870 followersJill Mansell lives with her partner and children in Bristol, and writes full time. Actually that’s not true; she watches TV, eats fruit gums, admires the rugby players training in the sports field behind her house, and spends hours on the internet marvelling at how many other writers have blogs. Only when she’s completely run out of displacement activities does she write.
Jill Mansell's books have sold over ten million copies and her titles include: Making your Mind up, Fast Friends, Good at Games, Sheer Mischief and Solo, among many others.
Jill Mansell's books have sold over ten million copies and her titles include: Making your Mind up, Fast Friends, Good at Games, Sheer Mischief and Solo, among many others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 512 reviews
July 15, 2022
In a Nutshell: A fairly complex saga of relationships, mostly of the romantic kind but also including parental and friend connections. As predictable as the genre suggests, but there are a few surprises along the way. A nice light read.
Story Synopsis:
Jill Mansell is known for her light, easy-on-the-mind-and-heart books. But this book goes overboard on the number of main and somewhat-main characters. If you are the kind to get flustered at too many characters, you better be ready with a notepad (physical or virtual) while reading this book. The main characters are Lachlan, Raffaele and Amber, but the narrative doesn’t focus only on these three. Raffaele’s ex Vee; Lachlan’s patron Peggy, her son Benjie and his love interests; Teddy and Olga; and a few secondary characters such as Dom and Jo also get their fair share of spotlight.
Furthermore, there are about 8 couples who come together or grow apart during the course of the story. (These are just the ones who have a dedicated track in the plot – I have ignored the minor ones.) So you need to remember not just who is who but also who is/was with whom. A go-with-the-flow approach works but you will still end up confused at times. The book would have functioned better if a couple of the subtracks had been taken out. I think it became too ambitious and as a result, focussed more on breadth than depth for its characters.
The story is very easy on the head though. As with almost all stories in this genre, it is fairly predictable. All the stock characters are present – the womaniser, the woman pining in secret for her best friend’s heart, the one still struggling over a bad breakup, the opportunist beauty,… Almost all tracks except for one or two go as expected. Then again, people read this genre more for emotions than for surprises; you get both in this book, that’s a plus.
My favourite part of the book was the focus it gave to foster relationships. The bond between a foster parent and a child, and the feeling of protectiveness that comes with this connection, are nicely depicted. Romance is still the key emotion explored but the foster relationships come a nice second.
Overall, a pretty decent book. Not a mind-blowing experience but definitely not the worst I have read. It has its share of nice and unexpected moments amid the clichés. But I have read a couple of Jill Mansell’s other works and this ranks the least interesting of them all.
If you know this genre, you know what you are going into. It’s a nice, feel-good entertainer that will serve well as a palate cleanser in between intense reads. A one-time read to try without expecting long-term impact.
3.5 stars.
My thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and NetGalley for the DRC of “Should I Tell You?” This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
Lachlan is a successful chef and a serial womaniser. Raffaele is a well-known hair dresser who has recently broken up with his dream girlfriend Vee. Amber, a creative stained glass artist, is secretly in love with her best friend but she can’t tell him so for fear of jeopardising their friendship. What ties these three together is not just that they are friends but also that they were raised in the same home as foster children under the loving care of Teddy and May. Now a crisis has brought them together again. May had passed away last year and Teddy seems to have found love in the arms of young, beautiful and too-perfect-to-be-true Olga. How do the trio save their foster dad from the arms of an opportunist while also solving their own personal entanglements?
Jill Mansell is known for her light, easy-on-the-mind-and-heart books. But this book goes overboard on the number of main and somewhat-main characters. If you are the kind to get flustered at too many characters, you better be ready with a notepad (physical or virtual) while reading this book. The main characters are Lachlan, Raffaele and Amber, but the narrative doesn’t focus only on these three. Raffaele’s ex Vee; Lachlan’s patron Peggy, her son Benjie and his love interests; Teddy and Olga; and a few secondary characters such as Dom and Jo also get their fair share of spotlight.
Furthermore, there are about 8 couples who come together or grow apart during the course of the story. (These are just the ones who have a dedicated track in the plot – I have ignored the minor ones.) So you need to remember not just who is who but also who is/was with whom. A go-with-the-flow approach works but you will still end up confused at times. The book would have functioned better if a couple of the subtracks had been taken out. I think it became too ambitious and as a result, focussed more on breadth than depth for its characters.
The story is very easy on the head though. As with almost all stories in this genre, it is fairly predictable. All the stock characters are present – the womaniser, the woman pining in secret for her best friend’s heart, the one still struggling over a bad breakup, the opportunist beauty,… Almost all tracks except for one or two go as expected. Then again, people read this genre more for emotions than for surprises; you get both in this book, that’s a plus.
My favourite part of the book was the focus it gave to foster relationships. The bond between a foster parent and a child, and the feeling of protectiveness that comes with this connection, are nicely depicted. Romance is still the key emotion explored but the foster relationships come a nice second.
Overall, a pretty decent book. Not a mind-blowing experience but definitely not the worst I have read. It has its share of nice and unexpected moments amid the clichés. But I have read a couple of Jill Mansell’s other works and this ranks the least interesting of them all.
If you know this genre, you know what you are going into. It’s a nice, feel-good entertainer that will serve well as a palate cleanser in between intense reads. A one-time read to try without expecting long-term impact.
3.5 stars.
My thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and NetGalley for the DRC of “Should I Tell You?” This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
May 9, 2022
Three and a half stars
When young Amber, Lachlan and Raffaele met in the home of foster parents May and Teddy in Lamrock, Cornwall. As adults the three have remained firm friends, although underneath the friendship there is a romantic love that has never been disclosed. After May’s death the trio are caring and protective of Teddy. When Teddy meets up with the younger Olga while on a cruise, they are concerned that she is only after a Teddy for his money. But Teddy is in love. Is Olga what Teddy believes and are the feelings real or is she out for what she can get? All now in their thirties and living in the picturesque town of Lamrock, where Teddy lives, the three friends are determined to find out more about Olga and protect Teddy,
Raffaele also needs to work out what is going on with his former lover and one time business partner until she started acting strangely and picking fights with him and they split up. Now it seems she is picking fights and arguments with everyone in person and online. What has gone wrong with her?
This is light and frothy and just the sort of book I needed after a heavier emotive read. I enjoyed it and was happy to keep reading. Teddy and May, who even though she has died, still leaves a massive influence. They are delightful and Olga is interesting. The three main characters are easy to read about. An entertaining read that many should enjoy. Only the second book I have read by this author but one I know many who enjoy her books will no doubt like this. I found it entertaining and it kept my interest. A good light change of pace for me at the time
When young Amber, Lachlan and Raffaele met in the home of foster parents May and Teddy in Lamrock, Cornwall. As adults the three have remained firm friends, although underneath the friendship there is a romantic love that has never been disclosed. After May’s death the trio are caring and protective of Teddy. When Teddy meets up with the younger Olga while on a cruise, they are concerned that she is only after a Teddy for his money. But Teddy is in love. Is Olga what Teddy believes and are the feelings real or is she out for what she can get? All now in their thirties and living in the picturesque town of Lamrock, where Teddy lives, the three friends are determined to find out more about Olga and protect Teddy,
Raffaele also needs to work out what is going on with his former lover and one time business partner until she started acting strangely and picking fights with him and they split up. Now it seems she is picking fights and arguments with everyone in person and online. What has gone wrong with her?
This is light and frothy and just the sort of book I needed after a heavier emotive read. I enjoyed it and was happy to keep reading. Teddy and May, who even though she has died, still leaves a massive influence. They are delightful and Olga is interesting. The three main characters are easy to read about. An entertaining read that many should enjoy. Only the second book I have read by this author but one I know many who enjoy her books will no doubt like this. I found it entertaining and it kept my interest. A good light change of pace for me at the time
June 10, 2022
Jill Mansell’s Should I Tell You? was such a comforting and uplifting story which focuses on the bond of friendship, found family and love (both romantic and platonic) and I absolutely loved every second of it!
Amber, Lachlan and Raffaele have been friends since they were teens, living with foster parents May and Teddy in Cornwall. And as adults that bond is stronger than ever. But Amber has a secret. She’s in love with Lachlan but confessing it would never work, for Lachlan is a serial dating, never settle down type. Surely it’s better to have him as a friend than risk losing him for good?
Raffael has his own problems, his dream girl Vee suddenly breaks up with him and he doesn’t know what he did wrong. Now their widowed foster father, Teddy thinks he’s found love again. With the much younger and beautiful Olga. But is she as beautiful as she seems? Or will she break Teddy’s heart?
I really enjoyed the heartwarming storytelling and endearing characters, all of whom have endured not so great childhoods (in some way shape or form) but managed to grow and finding happiness with the help of friends or (in Amber, Lachlan and Raffaele’s case) the love of supportive foster parents.
We get several POVs throughout the but Amber, Lachlan, Raffaele, and Benjie (the shy son of Lachlan’s boss/ business partner) are the main POVs we encounter. Getting to know them all was an absolute joy and—thanks to Jill Mansell’s beautifully detailed and immersive writing—I truly connected to, and felt like I knew them all! I also really liked the flamboyant Olga,in all her charismatic, colourful glory and just wish we got to see more from her POV.
A marvellously heartwarming read that tackles some sensitive subjects without losing it’s sweet, heartfelt or romantic tone. I enjoyed it soo much I’ll definitely have to binge read all of Jill Mansell’s previous books as soon as I can get my hands on them all!
Also a massive thank you to Random Thongs Tours and Headline for the PB copy
Amber, Lachlan and Raffaele have been friends since they were teens, living with foster parents May and Teddy in Cornwall. And as adults that bond is stronger than ever. But Amber has a secret. She’s in love with Lachlan but confessing it would never work, for Lachlan is a serial dating, never settle down type. Surely it’s better to have him as a friend than risk losing him for good?
Raffael has his own problems, his dream girl Vee suddenly breaks up with him and he doesn’t know what he did wrong. Now their widowed foster father, Teddy thinks he’s found love again. With the much younger and beautiful Olga. But is she as beautiful as she seems? Or will she break Teddy’s heart?
I really enjoyed the heartwarming storytelling and endearing characters, all of whom have endured not so great childhoods (in some way shape or form) but managed to grow and finding happiness with the help of friends or (in Amber, Lachlan and Raffaele’s case) the love of supportive foster parents.
We get several POVs throughout the but Amber, Lachlan, Raffaele, and Benjie (the shy son of Lachlan’s boss/ business partner) are the main POVs we encounter. Getting to know them all was an absolute joy and—thanks to Jill Mansell’s beautifully detailed and immersive writing—I truly connected to, and felt like I knew them all! I also really liked the flamboyant Olga,in all her charismatic, colourful glory and just wish we got to see more from her POV.
A marvellously heartwarming read that tackles some sensitive subjects without losing it’s sweet, heartfelt or romantic tone. I enjoyed it soo much I’ll definitely have to binge read all of Jill Mansell’s previous books as soon as I can get my hands on them all!
Also a massive thank you to Random Thongs Tours and Headline for the PB copy
July 8, 2025
I grabbed this one on a whim as it’s been sitting on my shelves for a while and read it in just a few hours while lounging in my pool. For the most part I really liked it. Its very character driven and you get a LOT of info on 4 of the MCs as they navigate love, life, and their foster father’s new romance. I enjoyed getting to know all of them and seeing how they slowly lowered their barriers. On the other hand, I went into it thinking it would be about 3 foster siblings trying to rescue their beloved foster family after he meets a younger woman on a cruise and quickly settles down with her. That’s really NOT what this book is about. Sure, it IS part of the plot, but it’s not the main focus- these 3 former foster siblings are. In any event I thought it was good and can see it being a great summer read for those who liked women’s fiction novels.
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
January 26, 2022
Set on the south Cornish coast in the fictional town of Lanrock and weaving together the romantic lives of a multigenerational cast, this novel is nonstop drama with a side helping of humour and the very definition of feel-good fiction. Amber, Lachlan and Raffaele first met as teenagers when they all spent time in the foster care of big-hearted Teddy and May Penhaligon and formed a lifelong bond and friendship that is still going strong.
Now as adults with successful careers but mixed fortunes in their love lives, the trio have once again gravitated back to the Cornish community that was so instrumental in their early years. Foster mother, May, is no longer alive and after Amber convinced Teddy to book a cruise the appearance of a much younger and beautiful Russian lady on his arm seems too good to be true. Hairdresser Raffaele is struggling to come to terms with the breakdown of his relationship with Vee and make sense of her unpredictable moods. Charming chef, Lachlan, is a notorious player with a string of conquests and has no intention of settling down, and whilst Amber is in love with him, she would never want to compromise their friendship for one night of passion. However as the trio of foster siblings, along with the wider Lanrock community, watch out in case Teddy is being taken advantage of by his new girlfriend and force of nature that is Olga, there are rumblings of action in all of their love lives, some more surprising than others.
Whilst I found the novel an undemanding read I didn’t feel there was much depth to the stories with the characters too superficially drawn to really connect with and the outcomes highly predictable. That Raffaele and Lachlan are both famous seemed entirely unnecessary but one aspect of the book that I did like was the fact that the lives of all the supporting cast are followed throughout the novel and each story has its own little conclusion. A lightweight, feel-good read with the lives and love stories of those in the community of Lanrock making for a welcome escape from the realities of everyday life. I do feel that I would probably have enjoyed the book more if Mansell had focused on fewer characters and whilst it was definitely an easy read, I also found it quite a forgettable one.
Now as adults with successful careers but mixed fortunes in their love lives, the trio have once again gravitated back to the Cornish community that was so instrumental in their early years. Foster mother, May, is no longer alive and after Amber convinced Teddy to book a cruise the appearance of a much younger and beautiful Russian lady on his arm seems too good to be true. Hairdresser Raffaele is struggling to come to terms with the breakdown of his relationship with Vee and make sense of her unpredictable moods. Charming chef, Lachlan, is a notorious player with a string of conquests and has no intention of settling down, and whilst Amber is in love with him, she would never want to compromise their friendship for one night of passion. However as the trio of foster siblings, along with the wider Lanrock community, watch out in case Teddy is being taken advantage of by his new girlfriend and force of nature that is Olga, there are rumblings of action in all of their love lives, some more surprising than others.
Whilst I found the novel an undemanding read I didn’t feel there was much depth to the stories with the characters too superficially drawn to really connect with and the outcomes highly predictable. That Raffaele and Lachlan are both famous seemed entirely unnecessary but one aspect of the book that I did like was the fact that the lives of all the supporting cast are followed throughout the novel and each story has its own little conclusion. A lightweight, feel-good read with the lives and love stories of those in the community of Lanrock making for a welcome escape from the realities of everyday life. I do feel that I would probably have enjoyed the book more if Mansell had focused on fewer characters and whilst it was definitely an easy read, I also found it quite a forgettable one.
January 20, 2022
Amber, Lachlan and Raffaele were fostered by the loving May and Teddy and grew up in Lanrock, Cornwall. Now in their thirties, all three are back living in the idyllic seaside town.
Amber owns a stained-glass studio, Raffaele has opened a hair salon and Lachlan is wowing the locals with his fine-dining restaurant.
Their beloved foster mother May has sadly died, but, after much encouragement, Teddy books a cruise around the Mediterranean. Not only does he see new countries, also meets Olga. Since this glamorous Russian is much younger than Teddy, his foster children fear she's more interested in his wallet than his heart.
Amber, Lachlan and Raffaele have their own romantic complications to deal with too. Raffaele is trying to get over a difficult break up. Amber has fallen hard for Lachlan and yearns to tell him how she feels. But she's scared of ruining their friendship and, anyway, he's tangled up in 'friends with benefits' relationships. Will any of them find the courage to declare their feelings?
Jill Mansell is the queen of feelgood romance but, while this is a book to make readers smile, she also tackles serious issues such as how past trauma affects present lives.
This is a witty, heartwarming story of friendship, family and enduring love.
Amber owns a stained-glass studio, Raffaele has opened a hair salon and Lachlan is wowing the locals with his fine-dining restaurant.
Their beloved foster mother May has sadly died, but, after much encouragement, Teddy books a cruise around the Mediterranean. Not only does he see new countries, also meets Olga. Since this glamorous Russian is much younger than Teddy, his foster children fear she's more interested in his wallet than his heart.
Amber, Lachlan and Raffaele have their own romantic complications to deal with too. Raffaele is trying to get over a difficult break up. Amber has fallen hard for Lachlan and yearns to tell him how she feels. But she's scared of ruining their friendship and, anyway, he's tangled up in 'friends with benefits' relationships. Will any of them find the courage to declare their feelings?
Jill Mansell is the queen of feelgood romance but, while this is a book to make readers smile, she also tackles serious issues such as how past trauma affects present lives.
This is a witty, heartwarming story of friendship, family and enduring love.
February 20, 2025
My second novel by Jill Mansell, and I stick to my opinion.
Not enough real and believable - too many rich and successful people.
Not enough witty - at least I didn't see it (but I skimmed a lot).
Not enough touching - when I was supposed to be moved, I wasn't (again, probably it was my fault).
I simply wasn't interested in the characters.
Perhaps the author isn't for me. I will try to give her another chance someday, but my hopes are low.
Not enough real and believable - too many rich and successful people.
Not enough witty - at least I didn't see it (but I skimmed a lot).
Not enough touching - when I was supposed to be moved, I wasn't (again, probably it was my fault).
I simply wasn't interested in the characters.
Perhaps the author isn't for me. I will try to give her another chance someday, but my hopes are low.
February 8, 2022
Not my favourite Mansell, but still an enjoyable romp none the less. I could have done with more moments between Amber and Lachlan and a lot less Benjie. Loved the Teddy/Olga storyline, loved Raffaele and Vee.
September 24, 2022
Sometimes all you need is a Happy Ever After.
April 19, 2022
It’s hard to know how to review this book without spoilers. Looking back, I guess everything ended up in a pretty predictable manner, and there were happy endings aplenty. But Ms. Mansell threw enough doubt into the equation that I thought things might take an unexpected turn in at least one of a couple of cases. I wish that the unexpected had happened in one instance. I wasn’t 100% all-in with the outcome of one of the romances. Not enough work was done to convince me of a happy ever after there. There were still too many red flags despite jumping to a very optimistic final chapter, where we revisit the ensemble cast 3 years later. Plus, one of the heroines, though nice and likable, was kind of a non-entity. Since I felt her story was the main focus, it had a detrimental effect on my enjoyment of the book. There were two other couples whose journey ended up being more satisfying and entertaining. In one, I wasn’t sure if one of the partners was good or evil, and in the other, I felt like the relationship was a lost cause for sure, until it wasn’t. The latter story included an explanation of a character's behavior that came as a surprise, yet make perfect sense. The former was a delight and I enjoyed it very much. The fourth of the stories had some troubling aspects and was borderline creepy and I didn’t enjoy it at all at the end. I liked it at first.
The plots were well constructed and everything was closed out satisfactorily except the doubts as to one person’s character which I’ve already stated. There was a lot going on and a lot of characters to engage my interest, which I like. The overall tone was light and amusing, though some serious and scary things were touched on, as with most women’s fiction. Despite my quibbles, I felt I was in good hands with Ms. Mansell.
Thank-You to Net Galley and Sourcebooks for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
The plots were well constructed and everything was closed out satisfactorily except the doubts as to one person’s character which I’ve already stated. There was a lot going on and a lot of characters to engage my interest, which I like. The overall tone was light and amusing, though some serious and scary things were touched on, as with most women’s fiction. Despite my quibbles, I felt I was in good hands with Ms. Mansell.
Thank-You to Net Galley and Sourcebooks for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
January 1, 2022
Jill Mansell has always been one of my favourite authors, since being a teen and first discovering her works. I always look forward to her new releases and once again she hasn't let me down and has written another truly marvellous book.
I loved the setting of Lanrock, and all the various main characters.
From discovering Lachlan, Amber and Raffaele's pasts in foster care to the wonderful Teddy and May, to how they are in the present, I loved our trio of friends. All of which clearly still care for Teddy and want what's best for him, although question marks over whether Olga is right for him is another matter.
Must say Olga has hidden depths and I loved seeing how she is presented and how we get to know her over the course of the book. And then there is Lachlan who is a fabulous chef, known womaniser but has a heart of gold, Amber who makes amazing stained glass installations and Raffaele, a hairdresser who is having and up and down time with his ex.
We also get the story of Benjie which I was engrossed in, and was a lovely addition to the book, and his mother Peggy is fabulous in a whole other way !
So with memorable and relatable characters, a a great setting, and so many assorted storylines to enjoy, this is a fabulous book to start the year with, and one I whole heartedly loved.
Thank you to Headline for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
I loved the setting of Lanrock, and all the various main characters.
From discovering Lachlan, Amber and Raffaele's pasts in foster care to the wonderful Teddy and May, to how they are in the present, I loved our trio of friends. All of which clearly still care for Teddy and want what's best for him, although question marks over whether Olga is right for him is another matter.
Must say Olga has hidden depths and I loved seeing how she is presented and how we get to know her over the course of the book. And then there is Lachlan who is a fabulous chef, known womaniser but has a heart of gold, Amber who makes amazing stained glass installations and Raffaele, a hairdresser who is having and up and down time with his ex.
We also get the story of Benjie which I was engrossed in, and was a lovely addition to the book, and his mother Peggy is fabulous in a whole other way !
So with memorable and relatable characters, a a great setting, and so many assorted storylines to enjoy, this is a fabulous book to start the year with, and one I whole heartedly loved.
Thank you to Headline for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
August 14, 2022
Lanrock sounds like a nice village.
July 24, 2022
Popsugar reading challenge- A book published in 2022
Rtc
Rtc
June 30, 2022
Het is J.M. weer gelukt ! ze heeft weer precies geleverd wat ik van haar verwacht met dit ( als ik goed geteld heb ) 33e boek .
Ok. eerlijk is eerlijk J.M. heeft wel een soort van formule schrijfstijl waarin bijna al haar boeken passen maar ik vind dat helemaal niet erg want dat past mij wel .
Wanneer volgend jaar hopelijk haar volgende boek uitkomt zorg ik weer dat ik vooraan in de rij sta om het te lenen van mijn bibliotheek .
Ok. eerlijk is eerlijk J.M. heeft wel een soort van formule schrijfstijl waarin bijna al haar boeken passen maar ik vind dat helemaal niet erg want dat past mij wel .
Wanneer volgend jaar hopelijk haar volgende boek uitkomt zorg ik weer dat ik vooraan in de rij sta om het te lenen van mijn bibliotheek .
May 10, 2022
4.5*
With only one book a year, a new release from Jill Mansell is always something to look forward to. If I’ve counted correctly, Should I Tell You is her 33rd book, and I started reading her books from the very first one, Two’s Company. My thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
The settings are always in idyllic locations, last time was the Cotswolds, this time we’re on the Cornish coast, in the fictional setting of Lanrock. Jill’s characters are always so engaging – the type of people you would love to be friends with in real life. Here, the story focuses on three main characters. Friends Lachlan a restauranteur and chef, Raffaele, a celebrity hairdresser with his own salons and Amber, owner of a glass studio making the most stunning creations. They are all successful in their chosen careers however there is a longstanding bond between them and the link they all have in common is their foster parent Teddy (and late foster mother May) whose love and support has made them into the people they are, despite their difficult and traumatic backgrounds.
When Teddy meets glamorous Russian, Olga whilst on a cruise and is smitten, Lachlan is concerned. It is clear that Olga likes the nice things in life and Teddy is wealthy. Is it genuine love between them or is she out to break Teddy’s heart?
Lachlan is a bit of a heartbreaker himself – he has never settled down and all this time Amber has been scared to tell him how she feels in case she loses not only his friendship but also breaks up their gang of three.
Romance and its problems features heavily for our main characters – is friends with benefits better than nothing at all or should you be honest and let someone know how you feel and deal with the consequences? With the help of a fabulous cast of supporting characters, the three friends try to sort out their love lives whilst dealing with curveballs that life throws at them. The much loved Teddy is also on their minds.
Should I Tell You is another warm-hearted story of friendship and romance with a few unexpected surprises, not always welcome, thrown into the mix along the way. As ever with this author, there is much humour and many light hearted moments however even with a difficult subject, it is dealt with in a sensitive and sympathetic way. Other characters have their own story to tell, like Benjie – I have to admit, I was ahead of him on this one.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was the perfect book for me when I needed an uplifting comfort read. I can’t wait for the next one.
With only one book a year, a new release from Jill Mansell is always something to look forward to. If I’ve counted correctly, Should I Tell You is her 33rd book, and I started reading her books from the very first one, Two’s Company. My thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
The settings are always in idyllic locations, last time was the Cotswolds, this time we’re on the Cornish coast, in the fictional setting of Lanrock. Jill’s characters are always so engaging – the type of people you would love to be friends with in real life. Here, the story focuses on three main characters. Friends Lachlan a restauranteur and chef, Raffaele, a celebrity hairdresser with his own salons and Amber, owner of a glass studio making the most stunning creations. They are all successful in their chosen careers however there is a longstanding bond between them and the link they all have in common is their foster parent Teddy (and late foster mother May) whose love and support has made them into the people they are, despite their difficult and traumatic backgrounds.
When Teddy meets glamorous Russian, Olga whilst on a cruise and is smitten, Lachlan is concerned. It is clear that Olga likes the nice things in life and Teddy is wealthy. Is it genuine love between them or is she out to break Teddy’s heart?
Lachlan is a bit of a heartbreaker himself – he has never settled down and all this time Amber has been scared to tell him how she feels in case she loses not only his friendship but also breaks up their gang of three.
Romance and its problems features heavily for our main characters – is friends with benefits better than nothing at all or should you be honest and let someone know how you feel and deal with the consequences? With the help of a fabulous cast of supporting characters, the three friends try to sort out their love lives whilst dealing with curveballs that life throws at them. The much loved Teddy is also on their minds.
Should I Tell You is another warm-hearted story of friendship and romance with a few unexpected surprises, not always welcome, thrown into the mix along the way. As ever with this author, there is much humour and many light hearted moments however even with a difficult subject, it is dealt with in a sensitive and sympathetic way. Other characters have their own story to tell, like Benjie – I have to admit, I was ahead of him on this one.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was the perfect book for me when I needed an uplifting comfort read. I can’t wait for the next one.
January 20, 2022
A book nearly always has a standout character for me, not the case with this one as I loved them all. The three, now adult children, Amber, Rafaelle and Lachlan have all got stories from how their lives have changed since being fostered by the warm and loving May and Teddy. The birthday cake baking scene was especially touching and made all the more poignant knowing that May has since passed away.
The three of them have become increasingly concerned about their widowed foster dad Teddy who Amber had persuaded to go on a cruise. Not knowing that his head would be turned by the irrepressible and younger Olga. Are her feelings genuine or is he about to be fleeced by a clever con artist? They are each facing their own dilemmas too and their lives have once again become intertwined.
Also brought in to the story are other characters who have had an influence on their lives and a huge shout out for the mildly eccentric and slightly barmy Peggy and her son Benjie. She was a paint covered tour de force who brought not only colour to Lanrock but to every page she appeared on. Every village or town should have someone like her, even though she was just a little bit demanding.
Moving, joyous, funny and packed full of endearing characters and charm this was a delight to read. should I tell you to read it? Yes I should and hopefully have.
The three of them have become increasingly concerned about their widowed foster dad Teddy who Amber had persuaded to go on a cruise. Not knowing that his head would be turned by the irrepressible and younger Olga. Are her feelings genuine or is he about to be fleeced by a clever con artist? They are each facing their own dilemmas too and their lives have once again become intertwined.
Also brought in to the story are other characters who have had an influence on their lives and a huge shout out for the mildly eccentric and slightly barmy Peggy and her son Benjie. She was a paint covered tour de force who brought not only colour to Lanrock but to every page she appeared on. Every village or town should have someone like her, even though she was just a little bit demanding.
Moving, joyous, funny and packed full of endearing characters and charm this was a delight to read. should I tell you to read it? Yes I should and hopefully have.
January 20, 2022
This was such an adorable read, with some hilarious moments.
All of the characters were likeable and their bonds were so endearing, through the authors writing style, you really feel that you get to know them individually (especially the foster siblings through their arrival to Teddy).
I loved how the characters had their own separate storylines, which all came together in such a heart warming and funny way.
This is my first book by the author but will be adding her previous books to my TBR.
All of the characters were likeable and their bonds were so endearing, through the authors writing style, you really feel that you get to know them individually (especially the foster siblings through their arrival to Teddy).
I loved how the characters had their own separate storylines, which all came together in such a heart warming and funny way.
This is my first book by the author but will be adding her previous books to my TBR.
July 5, 2022
This is a cross between women's fiction and romance, but of course, that sounds like they might be the same thing but they are not.
This book primarily follows three friends that met while in a foster home tended by Teddy and May. There are several other characters and couples that bring their own dynamics to the book that make it overall a delightful read and add some depth and variety to the novel.
Teddy and (the late) May brought many children into their home and loved them as if they were their own no matter how long they stayed. That love and affection are what pushed those closest to Teddy to question the new woman in his life whom he met on a cruise. Does she really love him or is she a gold digger? It could go either way based on what we see, but I have to admit Olga is one of a kind. She definitely shakes up everyone's lives but for the better.
Amber, Lachlan, and Raffaele formed a tight bond that still existed many years later. They supported each other through their ups and downs and while they each found their footing in their respective careers - stained glass, chef, and stylist. I appreciated the hard work that they endured for their crafts and that they do not take any of it for granted. They are also there for each other during their various relationships especially Raffaele's relationship with Vee which has gone off the rails but for reasons you may not suspect.
I think the one character that was possibly overshadowed by others is Benjie. He is shy and very much an introvert and I think many would be able to relate to his character. However, with the help of a few of the other characters, he comes out of his shell by the end of the book. It just took him a little more time than some but he really blossoms by the end and I loved seeing him grow.
I can't go without mentioning Moose, an energetic dog that causes a few incidents in the book. But lovable all the same.
Overall, we give this book 4 paws up. It was a relaxing read in a picturesque setting. Plenty of family dynamics to keep the story interesting.
This book primarily follows three friends that met while in a foster home tended by Teddy and May. There are several other characters and couples that bring their own dynamics to the book that make it overall a delightful read and add some depth and variety to the novel.
Teddy and (the late) May brought many children into their home and loved them as if they were their own no matter how long they stayed. That love and affection are what pushed those closest to Teddy to question the new woman in his life whom he met on a cruise. Does she really love him or is she a gold digger? It could go either way based on what we see, but I have to admit Olga is one of a kind. She definitely shakes up everyone's lives but for the better.
Amber, Lachlan, and Raffaele formed a tight bond that still existed many years later. They supported each other through their ups and downs and while they each found their footing in their respective careers - stained glass, chef, and stylist. I appreciated the hard work that they endured for their crafts and that they do not take any of it for granted. They are also there for each other during their various relationships especially Raffaele's relationship with Vee which has gone off the rails but for reasons you may not suspect.
I think the one character that was possibly overshadowed by others is Benjie. He is shy and very much an introvert and I think many would be able to relate to his character. However, with the help of a few of the other characters, he comes out of his shell by the end of the book. It just took him a little more time than some but he really blossoms by the end and I loved seeing him grow.
I can't go without mentioning Moose, an energetic dog that causes a few incidents in the book. But lovable all the same.
Overall, we give this book 4 paws up. It was a relaxing read in a picturesque setting. Plenty of family dynamics to keep the story interesting.
March 3, 2023
Znate ono kada moji knjiški drugari kažu "Čitam da ne biste morali vi"? Epa, pridružujem se tom taboru i ovu knjigu bih svrstala u tu kategoriju.
Dolazilo mi je da je ostavim više puta, ali kako sam prešla polovinu knjige, rekoh hajde da izdržim do kraja, jer me interesovalo kako će se završiti i da li će se atmosfera u romanu promeniti. Ali nije. Moram priznati da sam do kraja već počela da zabušavam i okrećem stranice brže, maltene sam prelistala da saznam kraj.🙊
U početku se ništa ne dešava. Upoznajemo glavne likove Loklana, Amber i Rafaela, kroz podugačka poglavlja, saznajemo njihove životne priče i kako su došli u hraniteljsku porodicu Mej i Tedija, ništa što nije moglo da stane na mnogo manje od stotinak stranica na koliko je razvučeno. Meni je takav uvod bio predugačak.
Ali, ni do kraja se ne dešava ništa posebno.😄 Iako bolje od početka, sa mnogo predvidivih hepienda glavnih i sporednih likova, nije se desilo ništa po čemu bi mi radnja ove knjige ostala upečatljiva i upamćena. Spora je, sve je pisano nekim hladnim tonom, bez imalo emocija. Čak i neke scene koje su mogle biti emotivne, to nisu. Klišea je bilo na sve strane. Apsolutno me ništa nije dotaklo ovde, niti prodrmalo, kamoli da "ponovo poverujem u ljubav" kako je stajalo na koricama knjige.
Dugačka ravna linija.
Isprva najomraženiji lik, Olga, postao je najzanimljiviji i to je pozitivno u celoj priči. Njena volja za životom, vedar duh, samopouzdanje, daju veselu atmosferu i primer su kako je lepše kroz život ići posmatrajući ga sa vedrije strane.
Mislila sam da ću mnogo brže pročitati ovaj roman, a na kraju iskreno priznajem da je najslabiji za sada od početka godine.
Uzmite utiske sa rezervom, kako uvek i kažem, pa ako želite nešto za razbibrigu i imate više vremena za čitanje, upoznajte se sa stanovnicima Lanroka i njihovim dogodovštinama.
2.5🌟
Dolazilo mi je da je ostavim više puta, ali kako sam prešla polovinu knjige, rekoh hajde da izdržim do kraja, jer me interesovalo kako će se završiti i da li će se atmosfera u romanu promeniti. Ali nije. Moram priznati da sam do kraja već počela da zabušavam i okrećem stranice brže, maltene sam prelistala da saznam kraj.🙊
U početku se ništa ne dešava. Upoznajemo glavne likove Loklana, Amber i Rafaela, kroz podugačka poglavlja, saznajemo njihove životne priče i kako su došli u hraniteljsku porodicu Mej i Tedija, ništa što nije moglo da stane na mnogo manje od stotinak stranica na koliko je razvučeno. Meni je takav uvod bio predugačak.
Ali, ni do kraja se ne dešava ništa posebno.😄 Iako bolje od početka, sa mnogo predvidivih hepienda glavnih i sporednih likova, nije se desilo ništa po čemu bi mi radnja ove knjige ostala upečatljiva i upamćena. Spora je, sve je pisano nekim hladnim tonom, bez imalo emocija. Čak i neke scene koje su mogle biti emotivne, to nisu. Klišea je bilo na sve strane. Apsolutno me ništa nije dotaklo ovde, niti prodrmalo, kamoli da "ponovo poverujem u ljubav" kako je stajalo na koricama knjige.
Dugačka ravna linija.
Isprva najomraženiji lik, Olga, postao je najzanimljiviji i to je pozitivno u celoj priči. Njena volja za životom, vedar duh, samopouzdanje, daju veselu atmosferu i primer su kako je lepše kroz život ići posmatrajući ga sa vedrije strane.
Mislila sam da ću mnogo brže pročitati ovaj roman, a na kraju iskreno priznajem da je najslabiji za sada od početka godine.
Uzmite utiske sa rezervom, kako uvek i kažem, pa ako želite nešto za razbibrigu i imate više vremena za čitanje, upoznajte se sa stanovnicima Lanroka i njihovim dogodovštinama.
2.5🌟
July 5, 2022
Amber, Lachlan and Raffaele were all foster children fostered by the same parents when they were younger. When their foster mother passes away, the three reconnect and we get to hear each of their stories as well as their foster father, Teddy's too.
Jill Mansell books were my absolute fave once upon a time. I remember discovering her while at a library and seeing she had multiple titles, borrowing them all and absolutely loving them. I was excited to hear she had a new book out. Mansell has a special way of weaving a story and getting you to know and love each character, but always leaving an element of mystery to keep you guessing. Her books always have a happy ending and leave you feeling content. If you've not read any of her books and enjoy romance, check her out!
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Jill Mansell books were my absolute fave once upon a time. I remember discovering her while at a library and seeing she had multiple titles, borrowing them all and absolutely loving them. I was excited to hear she had a new book out. Mansell has a special way of weaving a story and getting you to know and love each character, but always leaving an element of mystery to keep you guessing. Her books always have a happy ending and leave you feeling content. If you've not read any of her books and enjoy romance, check her out!
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
June 5, 2022
Het was weer een heerlijke Jill Mansell. Het verhaal zelf was niet per se heel bijzonder en ook vrij voorspelbaar. Maar ik vond dat het een extra ster verdiende, omdat er zoveel hartverwarmende gebeurtenissen in zaten.
August 28, 2022
Enjoyable easy read - mostly light-hearted, I do enjoy Jill's novels.
September 5, 2022
This is only my second Jill Mansell book that I have read.
The other one I read was a few years ago called 'Kiss' and I didn't enjoy it all that much.
But this book completely surprised me. I was waiting to reach a point where I would have to skip pages to get to the end (like I did with the other one) but that never happened because this book was feel good and lovely from beginning till the end! For me liking even one character in any given book matters a lot and this book was one of the rare ones where I did not dislike any at all.... yes they had their shortcomings but they were endearing, unpretentious and likeable as a whole bunch.
Easily a five stars book for me.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca and the author for the e-Arc of the book.
The other one I read was a few years ago called 'Kiss' and I didn't enjoy it all that much.
But this book completely surprised me. I was waiting to reach a point where I would have to skip pages to get to the end (like I did with the other one) but that never happened because this book was feel good and lovely from beginning till the end! For me liking even one character in any given book matters a lot and this book was one of the rare ones where I did not dislike any at all.... yes they had their shortcomings but they were endearing, unpretentious and likeable as a whole bunch.
Easily a five stars book for me.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca and the author for the e-Arc of the book.
September 14, 2022
Jill Mansell knows how to write a really good book. There was humour, romance and it was endearing, I loved it.
September 18, 2023
2.5. Pretty crap tbh. Too many characters, too many threads and I just didn’t care. A mixed bag and what did I really expect if I insist on reading all British chick lit?? I have no one to blame but myself
March 31, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC.
Should I Tell You? by Jill Mansell is a story about love, friendship and parenthood set in a small town called Lanrock. The writing was good and the story flowed well throughout. Although, I did feel that there were too many characters and it was a little overwhelming to keep track of all of their stories. The characters were loveable but nothing in particular or unique about them that made me root for them, including the main characters and their romance. In my opinion, the pacing was slow and towards the end it was a struggle to finish especially because the plot was too predictable. I did love that fact that the chapters were short which helped me finish the book. Although, it was a welcome break from dark fantasy and thrillers, I’m afraid this wasn’t the author’s best work as I’ve previously enjoyed her other books much more.
Should I Tell You? by Jill Mansell is a story about love, friendship and parenthood set in a small town called Lanrock. The writing was good and the story flowed well throughout. Although, I did feel that there were too many characters and it was a little overwhelming to keep track of all of their stories. The characters were loveable but nothing in particular or unique about them that made me root for them, including the main characters and their romance. In my opinion, the pacing was slow and towards the end it was a struggle to finish especially because the plot was too predictable. I did love that fact that the chapters were short which helped me finish the book. Although, it was a welcome break from dark fantasy and thrillers, I’m afraid this wasn’t the author’s best work as I’ve previously enjoyed her other books much more.
April 2, 2022
First of all, I'm grateful to NetGalley for making this ARC available to me in exchange for my objective review.
Oh dear... I really, really wanted to love this book as I usually love Mansell's stories. However, I just couldn't connect with any of the characters, both main and supporting. I found them all manipulative or just plain annoying. I made it about a third of the way through the book and then skimmed until the end.
Sorry, Ms. Mansell, I've loved all of your recent books but couldn't get into this one at all. I hope your other readers feel differently and I look forward to reading your next book.
Oh dear... I really, really wanted to love this book as I usually love Mansell's stories. However, I just couldn't connect with any of the characters, both main and supporting. I found them all manipulative or just plain annoying. I made it about a third of the way through the book and then skimmed until the end.
Sorry, Ms. Mansell, I've loved all of your recent books but couldn't get into this one at all. I hope your other readers feel differently and I look forward to reading your next book.
February 12, 2022
Not her best book. The last few books of hers have had more depth. This one seemed to be far more formulaic, reminiscent of her earlier work with everyone being coupled off by the end. It was enjoyable and a light read but not as engaging as I had hoped for
April 30, 2022
Het verhaal begint met ontzettend veel personages die allemaal een belangrijke rol innemen. Uiteindelijk vormen Lachlan, Amber en Raffaele de rode draad van het boek, maar het duurde even voor ik dat door had.
Doordat er zoveel personages gevolgd worden ontbreekt voor mij de diepgang in het verhaal.
“De sterkste band was echter die tussen Raffaele, Lachlan en Amber, gesmeed tijdens een kerst jaren daarvoor. Toen ze in latere jaren met kerst weer terugkeerden naar Lanrock, waren ze met open armen ontvangen door May en Teddy, die uitriepen dat de Drie Musketiers weer thuis waren, en iedere keer weer voelde dat fantastisch.”
De boekomschrijving heeft me flink misleid. Ik had een prachtig romantisch verhaal verwacht over de zoektocht in de liefde tussen Lachlan en Amber. Maar doordat er over zoveel verschillende personages wordt geschreven, omvatte het verhaal van Lachlan en Amber maar een klein deel van het gehele boek. Door mijn verwachtingen duurde het lang voor ik in het verhaal kwam. Ik miste daardoor ook de essentie van de flaptekst.
Het betekent overigens niet dat ik niet van de andere personages en verhaallijnen heb genoten, want eigenlijk was ik vooral onder de indruk van Vee en Jo. Dit had van mij meer en dieper uitgewerkt mogen worden.
“Want hoe kon het nu verkeerd zijn als het zo volmaakt aanvoelde, volmaakter dan wat dan ook?”
Kortom met een andere flaptekst en omschrijving van het verhaal, was het voor mijn gevoel veel beter geweest!
Doordat er zoveel personages gevolgd worden ontbreekt voor mij de diepgang in het verhaal.
“De sterkste band was echter die tussen Raffaele, Lachlan en Amber, gesmeed tijdens een kerst jaren daarvoor. Toen ze in latere jaren met kerst weer terugkeerden naar Lanrock, waren ze met open armen ontvangen door May en Teddy, die uitriepen dat de Drie Musketiers weer thuis waren, en iedere keer weer voelde dat fantastisch.”
De boekomschrijving heeft me flink misleid. Ik had een prachtig romantisch verhaal verwacht over de zoektocht in de liefde tussen Lachlan en Amber. Maar doordat er over zoveel verschillende personages wordt geschreven, omvatte het verhaal van Lachlan en Amber maar een klein deel van het gehele boek. Door mijn verwachtingen duurde het lang voor ik in het verhaal kwam. Ik miste daardoor ook de essentie van de flaptekst.
Het betekent overigens niet dat ik niet van de andere personages en verhaallijnen heb genoten, want eigenlijk was ik vooral onder de indruk van Vee en Jo. Dit had van mij meer en dieper uitgewerkt mogen worden.
“Want hoe kon het nu verkeerd zijn als het zo volmaakt aanvoelde, volmaakter dan wat dan ook?”
Kortom met een andere flaptekst en omschrijving van het verhaal, was het voor mijn gevoel veel beter geweest!
June 19, 2022
I've really enjoyed some of Jill Mansell's previous books (I haven't read them all yet) and this one was warm and fluffy like wrapping up in a blanket on a cold winter's night!
The characters were all likeable, but I adored Teddy and Peggy particularly! Peggy's cheekiness and Teddy's kindness really made my heart sing!
This was a fairly predictable read, but why should that be a bad thing? I know what I'm getting with Mansell, and I wanted this. A light read, but a strong theme of family loyalty, even when the characters aren't blood related! Just shows it is possible, and people can still form strong bonds even after real loss of identity.
One of my favourite Mansell reads to date.
The characters were all likeable, but I adored Teddy and Peggy particularly! Peggy's cheekiness and Teddy's kindness really made my heart sing!
This was a fairly predictable read, but why should that be a bad thing? I know what I'm getting with Mansell, and I wanted this. A light read, but a strong theme of family loyalty, even when the characters aren't blood related! Just shows it is possible, and people can still form strong bonds even after real loss of identity.
One of my favourite Mansell reads to date.
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