Like We Used To Be

by Jean Stubbs

Two sisters, beautiful and domesticated Zoe and rebellious Leila, discover new aspects of themselves and each other as they face challenges and changes

Genres: Fiction

387 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Aka Emma Darby

Jean was born in Lancashire and educated in Manchester. She has written many novels and short stories for magazines and collections, several of which have been adapted for radio and television. She has lived for more than twenty years in a cottage in Cornwall, England, with her husband.

Reviews

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stubbs' writing reminds me of Maeve Binchy's style or maybe even more accurately, that of Rosamunde Pilcher. This novel is about two English sisters with a surprising number of events happening to them over roughly fifteen years. One sister is traditional but trying to get away from her husband's overbearing presence. The other sister is the rebel, or in her words, she's just trying to live what she believes in. This is the 1950s and 60s afterall, when norms were being challenged. Written as a novel, it's now almost historical fiction.

[Rita Mahan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Roasamunde Pilcher, Marcia Willett, Rebecca Gregson, Maeve Binchy etc. so thought I had found another British author to add to my collection, alas did not find this book to be worthy. Just found myself slogging through this book, characters were more annoying than compelling and I just couldn't get involved in their lives.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book opens with one main character at her sister's marriage. As the book progresses, the viewpoint alternates in sections between the sisters, building up a picture of their family. Pleasant reading.

[Sharyl Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was such a let down for me, felt like it was a waste of time to read, even for pleasure. Well thought out characters.

[Mary sipp rigby · Rating 2 out of 5]

good

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

1989.
Not sure whether I actually read this or not. Looks like I read Rosemary's copy some years ago, but I recall nothing now.

[Dhaverma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well written just didn't enjoy reading it so stopped.