"With a gripping dual narrative, Sheena Billett’s Always Us sets out to answer the big question as to whether friendship really can weather any storm and last a lifetime. "
With a gripping dual narrative, Sheena Billett’s Always Us sets out to answer the big question as to whether friendship really can weather any storm and last a lifetime. Essentially a female-fronted domestic thriller, the novel is suspenseful and shot-through with several shocking twists, and all underpinned by its characters’ resilience and capacity to forgive even unimaginably traumatic events.
The novel begins with Patsy, a successful illustrator of children’s books, having treatment in a chemotherapy suite, wondering whether her estranged friend Anna, a well-known writer, is aware she has cancer. As Patsy begins to share their story with a hospital volunteer, the narrative flips to Anna who is, in fact, thinking about the fact Patsy has cancer, and also writing about their tricky relationship.
Despite being extremely close through childhood, the girls came from completely different worlds. While Patsy’s parents had money, Anna’s staunchly socialist mother was never a fan of Patsy or her family. Into this, we learn about the humiliating incident (and worse) that led to the women not being in touch until now, when Anna finds the courage to reach out to Patsy after fourteen years of silence.
The mystery around what led to the women not speaking is carefully drawn out, with a few convincing red herrings and distractions giving Always Us the pull of a page-turner as the women face further tests and conflicts through their rocky road to reconciliation. Though Always Us is largely an uplifting story of enduring female friendship, to my mind, Patsy and Anna’s relationship also raised questions around when a close connection is actually toxic, and whether some things should be forgiven.
Joanne Owen, A LoveReading Ambassador
'Always Us' explores the power of female friendship through the lives of its central characters, Patsy and Anna. The narrative explores their emotional journey, following the challenges and triumphs both women face as their lives develop, with partners and children coming on the scene, and health issues looming large. As Anna and Patsy navigate love, loyalty, and the complexities of their relationship, the book tells a heartfelt story of how bonds are tested and strengthened over time.
| Primary Genre | Indie Author Books |
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'Always Us' explores the power of female friendship through the lives of its central characters, Patsy and Anna. The narrative explores their emotional journey, following the challenges and triumphs both women face as their lives develop, with partners and children coming on the scene, and health issues looming large.
Always Us features in the following genres: Indie Author Books, Indie Books We Love, Thriller and Suspense
Paperback. Not Available.
Always Us was written by Sheena Billett and published by Vanstone Publishing
