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Saving Nathaniel
Nathaniel Mackie is treading an emotional knife-edge, and the abyss is beckoning. Following the deaths of his wife and baby, he has lived with unresolved guilt and grief, and it is tearing him apart.
One rainy day, Megan Thomas literally bursts into his kitchen - and into his life.
Before long, their relationship becomes more than employer and housekeeper. Under her gentle, compassionate influence things begin to change, and he starts to come to terms with his past.
When Megan's temporary secondment is over, the extent of his dependence and affection becomes apparent. He loves her and wants her back.
But will she want him and all his accumulated baggage cluttering up her life? If not, what then? The prospect of living the rest of his life without her is a prospect he cannot contemplate.
He would rather die.
One rainy day, Megan Thomas literally bursts into his kitchen - and into his life.
Before long, their relationship becomes more than employer and housekeeper. Under her gentle, compassionate influence things begin to change, and he starts to come to terms with his past.
When Megan's temporary secondment is over, the extent of his dependence and affection becomes apparent. He loves her and wants her back.
But will she want him and all his accumulated baggage cluttering up her life? If not, what then? The prospect of living the rest of his life without her is a prospect he cannot contemplate.
He would rather die.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2010
9 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
Jillian Brookes-Ward
8 books8 followersAuthor of romantic fiction, Jillian Brookes-Ward hails originally from the North of England but now resides in a pretty village in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire Scotland.
She has been writing on and off since her schooldays, but only began writing seriously after moving to Scotland, being inspired by the beautiful locale and the people.
Jillian is married, and is the mother to 3 grown-up sons. Although now a full-time writer, she has many years' experience as a Medical/MedicoLegal Secretary. When she takes time out from writing she enjoys walking her dog, Archie, in the hills and woodlands around her village, photography and the company of friends. She is also rather keen on a spot of fly fishing.
She has been writing on and off since her schooldays, but only began writing seriously after moving to Scotland, being inspired by the beautiful locale and the people.
Jillian is married, and is the mother to 3 grown-up sons. Although now a full-time writer, she has many years' experience as a Medical/MedicoLegal Secretary. When she takes time out from writing she enjoys walking her dog, Archie, in the hills and woodlands around her village, photography and the company of friends. She is also rather keen on a spot of fly fishing.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 16, 2010
My attention was caught by the novel’s first sentences: “She was wet. She was cold. She was late.” With that opening, my attention was captivated. In my opinion, it is one of the most powerful, attention-grabbing openings I have ever read in fiction, and I read a lot of it.
Saving Nathaniel is enchanting and powerful storytelling, with characters that are real people, not clichéd cut-outs. The personal struggles Nathaniel and Megan have are ones that most of us can identify with because most of us have had them at one time or another. I certainly have. But it’s the skill of the story telling that kept me engaged, as in one exchange with Nathaniel where Megan “gave him a look so cold it would have made a penguin reach for a muffler.” It’s the kind of laugh-out-loud remark that makes this story such a richly human one. The author tells the story of Meg and Nathaniel with compassion and skill that draws you in and keeps you there long after you’ve finished the last page. This is a wonderfully wise book. Hopefully it is the first of many by this fine writer.
I can see Saving Nathaniel as a movie, with Helen Mirren in the role of Megan. It’s definitely one I’d watch more than once.
Five Stars.
Saving Nathaniel is enchanting and powerful storytelling, with characters that are real people, not clichéd cut-outs. The personal struggles Nathaniel and Megan have are ones that most of us can identify with because most of us have had them at one time or another. I certainly have. But it’s the skill of the story telling that kept me engaged, as in one exchange with Nathaniel where Megan “gave him a look so cold it would have made a penguin reach for a muffler.” It’s the kind of laugh-out-loud remark that makes this story such a richly human one. The author tells the story of Meg and Nathaniel with compassion and skill that draws you in and keeps you there long after you’ve finished the last page. This is a wonderfully wise book. Hopefully it is the first of many by this fine writer.
I can see Saving Nathaniel as a movie, with Helen Mirren in the role of Megan. It’s definitely one I’d watch more than once.
Five Stars.
December 4, 2013
Although this book is actually quite long for an e-book (at least ones that I have been reading), I couldn't put it down and finished it in one day. Every chance I got, I was sneaking a chapter here and there on my kindle.
This book has so much going on (in a good way) as far as emotions. Tension was running high between Nat and Megan. I was beginning to worry if the end would be the ending that even wanted. Nat was such a surly older man, who was just mad at the world. But, when Megan comes in to the picture, some how he begins to grow and change. Not over night, and many mistakes were made along the way, but for some reason he was able to change, for her.
I don't usually read books where the main characters are in the 50's age range, but I didn't really notice a big difference from other books I read. I was able to just slip into the Megan role and 'be' her for the most part. I don't want to give much of this book away, because I am really bad at blabbing spoilers without even really meaning to, so I will just say, that this book is a really amazing read. I hope to read more from this author in the future.
This book has so much going on (in a good way) as far as emotions. Tension was running high between Nat and Megan. I was beginning to worry if the end would be the ending that even wanted. Nat was such a surly older man, who was just mad at the world. But, when Megan comes in to the picture, some how he begins to grow and change. Not over night, and many mistakes were made along the way, but for some reason he was able to change, for her.
I don't usually read books where the main characters are in the 50's age range, but I didn't really notice a big difference from other books I read. I was able to just slip into the Megan role and 'be' her for the most part. I don't want to give much of this book away, because I am really bad at blabbing spoilers without even really meaning to, so I will just say, that this book is a really amazing read. I hope to read more from this author in the future.
Want to read
February 15, 2016301-400 pages Nathaniel Mackie is treading an emotional knife-edge, and the abyss is beckoning. Following the deaths of his wife and baby, he has lived with unresolved guilt and grief, and it is tearing him apart. One rainy day, Megan Thomas literally bursts into his kitchen - and into his life. Before long, their relationship becomes more than employer and housekeeper. Under her gentle, compassionate influence things begin to change, and he starts to come to terms with his past. When Megan's temporary secondment is over, the extent of his dependence and affection becomes apparent. He loves her and wants her back. But will she want him and all his accumulated baggage cluttering up her life? If not, what then? The prospect of living the rest of his life without her is a prospect he cannot contemplate. He would rather die.
December 16, 2011
I really enjoyed this. Sure, there were times when I just wanted to give the two main characters a good slap and tell them to stop being so childish, but that just shows how emotionally attached I became - which is unusual for me.
What I found impressive with the book was that in the first half not much is going on in their lives - she keeps his house, he tries to make money. However, the author keeps our interest by drip-feeding information about their pasts that holds our attention and ensures we turn each page. That doesn't mean that this is a slow start, or a dull beginning. It isn't by any means. What it shows is the author's skill in developing an emotional plot against a not-so-happy, humdrum home life that also develops throughout.
Highly recommended
What I found impressive with the book was that in the first half not much is going on in their lives - she keeps his house, he tries to make money. However, the author keeps our interest by drip-feeding information about their pasts that holds our attention and ensures we turn each page. That doesn't mean that this is a slow start, or a dull beginning. It isn't by any means. What it shows is the author's skill in developing an emotional plot against a not-so-happy, humdrum home life that also develops throughout.
Highly recommended
January 27, 2016
We all accumulate some baggage as we go through life. Nathaniel Mackie is carrying more than his fair share, and its threatening to destroy him. His new housekeeper, Megan Thomas, might be able to save him - but she's got some baggage of her own... The interaction between these two vividly drawn characters is what drives the plot and gets the reader involved. They are real enough to care about, and right from the opening paragraphs the interplay between them is expertly crafted. The balance between narrative and description is perfect, and the smooth flow of words draws you deep into these people's lives. A great read!
March 30, 2011
The 'plot' was harmless enough, but the main character was really irritating.
Something else I found irritating was the author's attempt to put a Scottish accent into the dialogue - but she appears to only know the Scots pronunciation a couple of words; if I'm reading, say, a Harry Bowling book, then I get used to all the apostrophes sprinkled through the dialogue, but to keep stumbling across isolated words (no' was one) just disrupted the flow.
About the level of a Woman's Weekly story
Something else I found irritating was the author's attempt to put a Scottish accent into the dialogue - but she appears to only know the Scots pronunciation a couple of words; if I'm reading, say, a Harry Bowling book, then I get used to all the apostrophes sprinkled through the dialogue, but to keep stumbling across isolated words (no' was one) just disrupted the flow.
About the level of a Woman's Weekly story
July 2, 2025
This book reeled me in straight away and kept me reading until the end. It's a grittier romance than your average Harlequin. The two protagonists are a bit older than your average couple but their baggage made them more compelling.
If you enjoyed this book, don't go looking for its sequel Keeping Christopher. I can't find a page for it here and maybe for good reason. It's nowhere nearly as readable or as gripping as this book.
If you enjoyed this book, don't go looking for its sequel Keeping Christopher. I can't find a page for it here and maybe for good reason. It's nowhere nearly as readable or as gripping as this book.
March 23, 2011
Review next Wednesday on my blog.
kindle-i-own-to-read
December 4, 2012Amazon Freebie 12/4/2012
June 7, 2013
it was free for my kindle. I don't like explicit sex scenes. This book has one. I'd rather leave such interludes to the imagination. Otherwise, good storyline.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews