Will this be the love that lasts?
SARA LAWRENCE
(Quercus £16.99, 272pp)
I FLAGGED this love story with magical realist elements as a novel to watch out for in my recommendations for 2024. I’m a big fan of Serle’s gripping narratives, which are populated by believable, relatable characters.
Here, every time protagonist Daphne meets a new man she receives a note with his name and the exact length of time they will spend together. This has been happening for 20 years, after she dated her first boyfriend for eight days.
Since then, there have been varying durations of dating, each one corresponding exactly to the note, and Daphne feels as though she’s been looking for real love for ever. When she finally does receive only a name, Jake, on the night of a blind date at her favourite restaurant in LA, the wildest roller-coaster begins.
It’s a pacey read and is particularly brilliant on living in the moment and taking risks. Fabulous.
IN SEARCH OF ETHEL CARTWRIGHT by Tom Winter
(Corsair £20, 256pp)
THE last thing 86-year-old Norman Cartwright expects to find on his doorstep when he returns home from the latest funeral is his teenage granddaughter, Florence.
Retired lorry driver Norman hasn’t seen her or her mother for 12 years, but he invites her to stay. The more time he spends with Florence, the more he realises his family think he’s a bad guy who cheated on his wife.
Norman is appalled — yes, he has a big secret, but it’s not infidelity that he’s hidden. Putting them all straight would involve him telling the truth about who he really is — something that’s been eating him up inside for decades.
Being honest seems impossible, but the alternative is lonely isolation — and, as Florence reminds him, if he’s not happy in himself, then the people around him can’t be happy either. I loved this moving story about secrecy, shame and the healing power of vulnerability.
THE ISLAND OF DREAMS by Helen McGinn (Boldwood £12.99, 248pp)
PROTAGONIST Martha is horrified when her sister’s fiancé tries to kiss her at a prewedding dinner at their parents’ house. Having blown up her life a few years before, when she called off her own wedding, Martha fears her sister will think she’s just bitter if she says anything.
The episode highlights Martha’s fears of being single for ever, and she admits at last that she’s in desperate need of a re-set. After her sister calls off the wedding and insists Martha takes her Greek honeymoon villa, she grabs the chance, despite her worries about travelling alone.
The gorgeous surroundings and serene vibe soon start to make everything feel better, and it’s not long before a love interest appears — single father Harry, who’s had a tough emotional time, too.
It’s beautifully written and brilliant on relationships of all kinds, including the one we have with ourselves. I was hooked from the start and raced through to the end, rooting for Martha the whole way. Wonderful.