ARC Review : E is for England by Elizabeth Rose (CR)

http://www.escapepublishing.com.au/product/9780857990662

---

Book Blurb

From the author of The Ripple Effect comes a poignant novel about a mother who has given up everything for her kids, and her opportunity to take a risk on something for herself.

Annie never thought to use underwear to meet a man, but the trick works on her downstairs neighbour, Hugh. Though he’s a handsome English doctor, Annie wants nothing more than friendship. Luckily, neither does Hugh.

But their friendship is shaken and their resolve tested when Annie’s flatmate, sexy and voracious Leonie, meets Hugh. Annie has no claim on Hugh’s nights, but can she bear to lose him to Leonie? And when Annie’s husband suddenly reappears, will Hugh fight for the family he didn’t know he needed?

---

Toot's Review by Stacy Sabala

Annie is a single parent at the moment as her husband has gone off to find himself. She is living with a female co-worker and friend after she lost her house. The apartment is enough for now but geared for single people instead people with children. She is happy to be there, even as she struggles financially and with her kids.

Her luck changes a little one night when she meets her downstairs neighbors, Hugh and James. Hugh is a doctor who has recently moved from London and James, his cousin, was raised in Sydney and working as an IT. They help her out when she loses her keys and become friends.

Annie and Hugh develop a good friendship. In fact, they are developing deeper feelings for each other but neither will admit to them. Hugh, who doesn’t want kids, starts to hang out and get to know Mattie and Floss, Annie’s two kids. His feelings get stronger but Annie thinks her life is too complicated.

In fact her husband shows back up and has a big surprise for her. Kevin seems to want them back as a family. Annie is confused and doesn’t know what to do. She has feelings for Hugh, but her kids come first. She has no idea what she should do.

This book was ok. The storyline was good, but I didn’t care for the characters that much. Hugh and Annie danced around each other and their feelings to the extent that it became annoying to me. Then when Annie’s husband came back, she seemed to change into a weaker woman than she was earlier in the story. I found her overall an average character. So I had a difficult time liking her or rooting for her. I would have preferred her to be stronger and attack the situations thrown at her.

---

I would give this a 3 out of 5