Reviewer: Rowena A Walk in the Park by Jill Mansell
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Sourcebooks Landmark
Publication Date: November 6th 2012
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 446
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It's been a while, but Lara Carson's back in Bath and lives are set to change as a result. Because Lara left her family and boyfriend Flynn eighteen years ago without a word to anyone. Why has no one heard from her since? Her childhood best friend Evie is thrilled Lara's back and able to share her happiness. Evie's about to walk down the aisle with her dream man, Joel. Or so she thinks... Then there's Flynn Erskine, even more attractive now and stunned to see Lara again. The spark between them is as strong as ever, but how's Flynn going to react when he discovers the secret she's been keeping from him? Oh yes, there's a lot of catching up to be done...
This was another enjoyable read by Jill Mansell. What I like about her books is that in one book, we get many stories. There are so many different storylines being woven together to tell the bigger story and I liked it.
This story follows Lara Carson as she makes her way back to her hometown after being gone for 18 years. She left when she was 16 and is back now, in her thirties and carrying some 18-year-old baggage. When Lara left, she didn’t keep in touch with anyone. Not her best friend at the time, not her boyfriend who she loved more than life itself, not anyone. When her father dies and her childhood best friend camps out at the funeral to catch Lara, Lara is surprised…but happy. Evie was a good friend to her and when Lara is invited to Evie’s wedding, she’s glad.
Lara wasn’t prepared for seeing Flynn after all these years apart. She’s changed so much over the years and there are things that he just doesn’t know about her. Like they have a daughter together and she’s 18 years old and her name is Gigi. With Lara’s father out of the picture, Lara inherits the house that he lived in all these years. When he kicked her out of the house way back when Lara went to live with her Aunt Nettie. Going to live with Nettie was probably one of the best decisions of Lara’s life. Her life turned around and she finally got the stability and the home life that she always wanted (and never got) with her father. She also found a love that she didn’t expect to find when she had her baby.
When things don’t work out the way that they were supposed to work out, Evie finds herself going to stay with Lara at Nettie’s house for a few weeks before coming back to live with her and Gigi back home and well, things get a whole lot interesting.
Jill Mansell knows how to string along tiny stories into one huge story that keeps me interested, keeps me laughing and keeps me sighing all over the place. It’s no different with this book. There are tiny little stories wrapped up in the bigger story and I enjoyed it all. I enjoyed getting to know Lara, Flynn, Gigi, Evie and well, just everyone. They all added a little something special to the story and I ate this book up. Now, there were times when the story dragged a bit but Mansell picked it right back up and I was able to finish the book with giant, dopey grin on my face.
Lara isn’t perfect and even though there were times when her stubbornness was going to be the death of me, I never not liked her and I really enjoyed getting to know her. Getting to know Gigi. Seeing Flynn and Gigi building a strong and lasting relationship together. I really enjoyed seeing Evie learn to live on her own and really find herself without Joel. I also really enjoyed getting to know Harry and see his friendship with Enjay. There was a lot to like about this book and it really made the slow bits fade into the background. Overall, I was a happy camper with this book and I’m anxious for the next Mansell book to devour.
…and that’s your scoop!
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Book cover and blurb credit: http://barnesandnoble.com
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