A rather special, magically quirky yet deeply dark novel, with a potentially misleading title - until you’ve read the book and all becomes clear! Sisters Lilly and Neave set up a cosmetics empire as the USA becomes involved in the Second World War. When Lilly goes missing, Neave finds herself in incredible danger. Sharon Powell writes with a sparkling pen, adding just enough enchantment, while retaining a gritty feeling of reality. Mr Boppit became a firm favourite of mine, I quite fell under his spell, particularly regarding his choice of shoewear. Another tale runs alongside and inside the main storyline, adding an extra dimension to the read. There is a sparkling alchemy to the writing, yet an ominous undertone ensured I was kept on the edge of my seat as the tension increased. ‘The Romance Reader’s Guide to Life’ is a particularly charming, wonderfully compelling read, do I recommend it, why yes, I most assuredly do!
| Primary Genre | Romance / Relationship Stories |
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A complete 'one off!' A highly original and irresistible novel which drew me in from the very first chapter.
Set after the second world war, the novel focuses upon the lives of twin sisters, who although quite different in character, combine their skills to create a successful cosmetics business. Neave has developed a joy of books nurtured through reading aloud as a child to an elderly neighbour whereas Lily's beauty makes her highly attractive to men. When Lily disappears, Neave is determined to leave no stone unturned until she discovers her sister's whereabouts.
There is so much that I enjoyed about this novel. The characters were beautifully defined and I especially appreciated the contrast amongst the twins' family members.... Read Full Review
An unusual and interesting story about sisterly love and how it transcends the differences between them, their lives, their separation and ultimately even death itself.
This rather unusual and interesting novel is based in a small town in Massachusetts at the end of World War II. It tells the story of twin sisters Lilly and Neave, who share a deep attachment despite them being polar opposites in looks and personality. Lilly, a beautiful, glamorous, extrovert likes the boys more than would be deemed appropriate for a respectable girl. Neave, a plain bookworm, prefers her romance between the pages of a novel rather than between the sheets. Her favourite story ‘The Pirate Lover’ is interwoven throughout the novel and does add to its interest. In fact, some readers may prefer this straightforward ‘bodice-ripper’ to the complexity of the main story itself.... Read Full Review
Not my usual choice of genre, found the multi strands of narrator confusing at times, leading to a lack of the detail I wanted in each strand of the parallel stories.
Not my usual choice of genre, the precis caught my imagination and sounded like something I would enjoy. I was however disappointed with the depth of detail at times. With essentially three different strands, two narrators in turn interspersed with a ‘book within a book’ telling a parallel tale of good and bad brothers, I found the flow I look for impeded at times. The sections narrated by a dead dog were somewhat unconvincing.... Read Full Review
The most entertaining and chilling novel you will read this year, by the acclaimed author Sharon Pywell. Growing up in the shadow of the Second World War, twin sisters Lilly and Neave could not be more different: Lilly is a beauty who runs through men like water, but Neave is a bookworm who would rather read about life than live it. While Lilly is breaking hearts, Neave loses herself in the illicit romance novel The Pirate Lover. As grown women they are expected to settle down and marry, but instead they set their sights on creating their own cosmetics business - that is, until Lilly suddenly disappears... Desperate to find her sister, Neave receives help from the most unlikely of places, proving that the bond between sisters can overcome anything in life - and beyond. A haunting, darkly funny and thrilling tale of sisterhood, showing us that sometimes the guiltiest of pleasures can be our salvation.
The Romance Reader's Guide to Life features in the following genres: Romance / Relationship Stories, Crime and Mystery, eBooks of the Month, Modern and Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Recommendations, General Fiction
The Romance Reader's Guide to Life is available in Hardback
The Romance Reader's Guide to Life was written by Sharon Pywell and published by Gerald Duckworth & Co Ltd an imprint of Duckworth Overlook
The Romance Reader's Guide to Life has 320 pages
