From Goodreads
Sometimes the hardest lessons to learn are those that matter most.

Following a tragic accident, Ella O’Hanlon flees to the other side of the world in an attempt to escape her grief, leaving behind the two people she blames for her loss: Aidan, the love of her life, and Jess, her spoilt half-sister.

In London Ella is taken in by her beloved uncle Lucas, whose extraordinary house holds many wonderful memories for her. Along with other members of the very colourful Fox family, Lucas helps Ella to see that she is not the only one still hurting, and that forgiveness can be the greatest healer in a family and in a marriage.

For anyone who has ever loved and lost, this is an exquisitely moving and life-affirming novel by the internationally bestselling author of Lola’s Secret.

ISBN: 9781921518645
Publisher: Penguin Australia
Publication date: September 26th 2012
Pages: 473

Review
Why did I take so long to read this author’s work? She’s great and very gifted at what she does. It is very clear to me now why people love her work so much and it’s justified.

In this story we follow a couple, Ella & Aidan, who experienced a horrificly devastating event which eventually created a rift between them. Throughout the book we journey with the couple, particularly Ella, as they work to find each other again and mend their relationship.

Monica McInerney starts off this book with a hint to something terrible having happened and that Ella has had a great deal of difficulty coping with it. We’re not left wondering too long as to what the event was which keeps the reader’s interest and alleviates the possibility of boredom that can happen if this type of ‘carrot dangling’ can create if done badly. Such a technique allows the reader to be much more fully involved in the story and the emotional ride that the characters go on.

Monica’s character development in this book is strong and you really want to see the best happen for them. She has a lot of characters in her book but none of them are surplus to the needs of the story. They each have a purpose to play in the overall story. In this regard Monica’s writing reminds me of Kate Morton’s style. I’ll certainly be picking up more of Monica’s books in future.

Recommend for: Adults
Rating: 5 stars