Matters Arising

by Sarah Harrison

The new novel from a best-selling author - When the ladies of the Marie Crompton Luncheon Club invite Sir Anthony Chance to be the speaker at their golden anniversary, it's a long shot. After all, he is a distinguished heart-throb, and they are just a provincial organization. But astonishingly the answer is yes! What no-one knows is what a turning point his visit will prove to be. Against a background of hectic planning, secrets are revealed and rivalries surface . . .

320 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2009

Reviews

[Nicholas George · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't like to read too much of book cover blurbs--they often give too much of the plot away--so I went into this one only knowing that it could be filed under "romance," not my usual reading preference. After reading the first two chapters, I was certain the story would involve the main male character, a famous named named Tony Chance, falling in love with one of the women organizing a fund-raising luncheon featuring him as the speaker.

As the story progressed, I was pleased to find I was wrong--Tony is a confirmed lifelong bachelor, possibly not gay, just a man who prefers to be unattached that way. The book is really about the five women, each struggling with her relationship with her significant other. Somehow (never fully explained to my satisfaction), the experience of hearing Tony speak spurs each to make the decision they need to in order to find happiness. It's all very neat and too tidy, perhaps, but Harrison is a lively writer and the characters are all delightful. I wish there had been more "meat," but it was a quick, fun read.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of the lives of the members of the Marie Crompton Luncheon Club, who invite a distinguished media star to speak at their annual anniversary luncheon. Not what I expected, but still a nice story.