I was given this as a World Book Night book, and had not read Adele Parks before, but will now certainly read more of her books. From the blurb on the back cover I thought it would be chicklit, but it is so much more and covers a number of women’s issues in a thoughtful and adult way. There is only a handful of characters, which allows her to develop them satisfactorily, particularly the women. Issues of infertility and dementia do not make for light reading, but they are done well and sympathetically, and seeing Margaret’s illness from inside her own mind adds an extra dimension.I enjoyed her descriptions of London life contrasted with lovely Dartmouth, which found a resonance with me as I too moved from London to a rural area. I initially found Eloise annoying in her desperate search for perfection in all aspects of her life, but came to recognise her as a loving and caring person, who eventually found the ability to be more flexible. Sara was hard to like from the start and by the end I hated and despised her. I certainly didn’t see the final twist coming. I gave this book three stars because it left me torn. I liked Eloise and Mark, but I didn't really connect with them. Mark did annoy me with how cold he often was towards his dad, and sometimes even his mum. I absolutely loved how Margaret's illness was explored! From her point of view and others' - it really explored the struggle people go through, and I thought was brilliant!But I HATED Sara and Charlie. Their rudeness, his cheek, her complete disregard of others. The whole way through the book I was waiting for Sara to apologise, or Eloise to actually stand up to her. I can't actually tell you how angry this made me! Eloise was constantly helping Sara, and all Sara did was moan and feel sorry for herself! The way she ended everything was disgusting! I have honestly never hated a character more!If this book had not involved Sara and Charlie, or Still included them to shown them to be kinder and more thankful to Eloise for everything she does - not just being spiteful, I would've given it five stars. But they ruined it for me!!!
Do You like book Whatever It Takes. Adele Parks (2013)?
ashamed that such pap took this long to read. it had moments when I enjoyed it, but mostly clinched.
—Meadowgems5
