A Love Story for Bewildered Girls

By Emma Morgan, Viking, £12.99 Review by Beverley Rouse A slow-burning story about relationships, friendships and the mistakes we make along the way, from first-time novelist Emma Morgan.

Therapist Grace falls head over heels for a woman she meets at a party, while lawyer Annie allows herself to trust a man with manners impeccable enough to impress even her fussy mother.

Violet, Annie’s flatmate, is crippled by her fear of pretty much everything until she tries something new and surprises herself.

Morgan’s story flits between these three main characters — perhaps a little too quickly at first, when the reader is still getting to know them — and gradually her vivid creations come to life.

We really begin to care for Annie, Grace and Violet, sharing their sorrows and cheering them when they recover their strength.

Morgan writes beautifully and accurately about the pain of finding out someone you love doesn’t love you back and realising there’s nothing you can do to change that.

She also cleverly includes the subtle red flags we all choose to ignore when we like someone.

Plot twists are subtly signposted, but never predictable. And while it’s a novel with little action and simple plot lines, Morgan’s touching and accurate portrayal of human emotions makes it a gripping read.