Date of Reading: 01/06/2016Author: Emma Robinson
Publisher: Bookouture
Place: London
Year: 2018
Rating: 3.5/5
From: NetGalley
Rory doesn’t believe in love. She’s got far too many real problems to deal with.
She’s just bought a tumbledown house. Her mother is generally behaving like a wicked witch, insisting on calling her Aurora, and generally interfering in her (admittedly pitiful lack of) love life. And her 16-year-old daughter has finally grown out of Disney princesses and discovered dating…
But Rory’s adamant that she doesn’t need saving. In fact, the only thing she’s wishing on a star for is a bit of practical help. However, when she meets a builder whose name is John Prince and who seems to be in the habit of rescuing her (right down to finding her lost shoe one evening) she might have to face a truth as uncomfortable as hobbling home barefoot – that maybe there’s something enchanted in the air.
Her mother, daughter and friends are convinced her prince has come, but Rory just wishes everyone could let it go. Especially when she hears a story that makes her question whether he is really the hero everyone thinks he is…
My Review:
I don't know why it is given the subtitle 'A laugh out loud romantic comedy' because there is nothing much to laugh in this. The story is more about parenting troubles, teenage rebellion and the challenges of teaching profession. It was a story with great potential, one I would have loved more with the addition of humour.
We encounter a bunch of realistic characters. Rory is not a fan of HEA and her daughter lives in search of a fairy tale prince charming. We could see the clouds of disaster approaching there itself. I really admire Rory even with her stubborn attitude, she is the type of teacher I would like to be one day.
Since it is the story of a single parent, instead of giving much interest to Rory's potential partner, it also focuses on the love life of her intimate friends - Susie and Penny. Rory's mother Sheila, I feel, is the sole fun element. Still this was an enlightening read, beautifully structured around the renovation of Rory's new home, aptly ending with housewarming party where all loose threads come together.
