A warm-hearted and gripping story of community, secrets and the family we choose that will captivate fans of Lucy Diamond, Cathy Bramley and Jessica Redland.
As young women, Lise and Emma had the kind of friendship people
dream about. While Lise's own family was distant and disengaged, Emma's was
welcoming and warm, and for the first twenty-six years of their life, growing
up together in a close-knit community, the duo were inseparable. But when they
decide to spend one year living together in Paris, what starts as the adventure
of a lifetime becomes a disaster that changes everything. And when Emma returns
to Bath the following summer, Lise stays behind in France, their friendship in
tatters.
Now, sixteen years later, Lise has come back to their hometown,
determined to put things right. But to do so, she'll have to face up to the
truth about what happened in Paris. And with Emma refusing to talk to her, can
she get close enough to share her secret?
Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/YearChangedSocial
I am a fan of Helen Rolfe and have read every book, enjoyed
every series, characters and setting. I have been looking forward to reading ‘The
Year That Changed Us; and was as happy as ever by the fabulous story Helen has
shared with us.
We meet Emma and Annalise (Lise), the best of friends, since
childhood into their young adult lives. Inseparable, Emma was a safe haven for Annalise’s’
unhappy childhood, they shared all parts of their lives and promised nothing,
and nobody would ever come between their special friendship. When their dream
adventure goes wrong, promises cannot always be upheld, and their lives are
changed forever.
Many years have passed, lives have moved on and Emma’s life
is again turned upside down by the arrival of Annalise. Emotions are high,
feelings of hurt, anger and betrayal cannot be easily overcome, if at all, but could
there be a way for these two women who shared so much?
Well... incredible. I loved it from start to finish.
Interesting and likeable characters, Emma and Annalise are very
different; their personalities, upbringing, and families; yet their bond is
clearly very special. I found myself on Emma’s side at first, I liked Annalise
but found my loyalty sticking with Emma. She has the comfortable childhood,
surrounded by her very loving family whereas Annalise had money but parents
that didn’t seem to care that much. Emma’s family became Annalise’s – which only
serves to make the pain of her actions later hurt even more for Emma. Emma has
clearly been through so much, loss, pain and heartache. Annalise’s life wasn’t
what she envisioned; her choices had consequences, but she is back wanting to
change things if she can. I was rooting for the characters to find some way to
reunite. Neither character is perfect, both have flaws and have made mistakes;
both have hurt the other in some way. There is no right or wrong in the
situation, that’s perhaps what makes this story so engaging, how people can be
blind to see their own errors, not face up to what they did wrong because of
how much hurt they feel.
Brilliant writing from this wonderful author, I think this book
really stands out amongst the others I’ve read by her.
A story about the power of friendship, the bonds that bind
people and the chance to discover if they are ever fully broken or could there be
some way back.
A story with conflict, heartache, and drama yet an important
message of the importance friendships and forgiveness.
Excellent read, highly recommended.
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