Love triangle becomes an emotional rollercoaster

Homecoming

I’ve been a bit of an emotional wreck recently. The smallest thing sets me off, dissolving into a puddle of tears and nothing can stop it.

Don’t worry, there’s nothing seriously wrong, just going through a bit of a weepy stage.

So, what do I do? I read a book centred around love and grief.

I’ll never learn. But then again, what’s wrong with having feelings?

Homecoming by Costa Short Story Award winner Luan Goldie tells the story of Yvonne, Emma, Lewis and Kiama.

Yvonne and Emma are best pals and housemates. Emma meets someone she really likes. Lewis.

But Yvonne knows who he is. She’s met him before and been rather intimate with him in the shape of a one-night stand. She had the hots for him but he never called back. Thus ensues years of turmoil.

Lewis did mean to call her but he lost her number and he’s not really all that into Emma. Love triangle ahoy, and you know what happens that only makes matters worse? Emma discovers she is pregnant. Oh boy.

Emma ends up as a single parent so returns to Kenya where her family lives for more support. When left alone, Yvonne and Lewis are drawn together again.

Wracked with guilt. Yvonne visits Emma and her son Kiama, confessing all about her relationship with Lewis.

Emma runs off and it’s the last time Yvonne sees her alive. Kiama is only eight. Cue my waterworks.

Fast-forward and Kiama is now 18 and living with his dad Lewis. He reaches out to Yvonne before returning to Kenya to try to process the grief of losing his mother.

Yvonne kindly goes with him but it’s a tense visit for obvious reasons. Kiama uncovers a lot of truths.

Lewis doesn’t want Kiama to know the truth because it doesn’t paint him in a favourable light either. But without Yvonne, can Lewis be truly happy? Is he ready to let the only woman he’s ever loved back into his life?

Homecoming is certainly an emotional ride and that’s mainly down to Goldie’s character writing.

Everyone is very real and there’s no shoddy dialogue that makes you roll your eyes.

What I will say is that the story is a little predictable, and you’ll likely work out the ending before you get there.

It’s a very contemporary story but it lacks action so keep that in mind if you decide to pick this one out to read.

Despite this, I enjoyed it and it fitted in with my mood at the time.

Next time, maybe I’ll go with something that won’t make me burst into floods of tears. I’ll see you next week and we’ll find out.