Gripping family drama full of secrets.
Having read Catherine Issac's first book I was very keen to read her follow up. It did not disappoint.
Following the main character Allie and her friend Ed, they travel to Italy to try and discover the truth about Allie's mother's past.
The descriptions of Italy are beautiful and really make you feel as if you are there with the sun on your face.
The chapters are short and flow really well switching between Allie, Ed and Allie's Grandmother. They keep you interested and make it easy to say one more chapter.
There are some delicate subjects covered in the story, and they are well written and the emotion is so real, there was definitely a tear or two shed.
I really enjoyed this book, the ending was quite dramatic and left you on tenterhooks.
From cover to cover, I read every word. A supreme holiday read, light and bright but quick moving, whether on a beach or giving yourself a day off to sit in your chair to read - this is the book!
When I opened the package and saw the cover of the book, I knew I would like it.
From cover to cover, I read every word. A supreme holiday read, light and bright but quick-moving, whether on a beach or giving yourself a day off to sit in your chair to read - this is the book!
A very clever plot, well written and it kept you guessing. The characters were believable and I could identify with them. Italy is a place I have never been, having read this book, I feel that I know parts of Italy now.
I am currently tracing my own family tree, Allie’s interest in finding out who her father was, resonated with me, I had to keep turning the page to find out who her father was too. She discovered a very interesting family history… When I finally get my own history completed - I bet it won’t be as interesting as hers.
Catherine Isaac is a good author, I will have to find more of her books to read, thank you for introducing her to me.
I know you should never judge a book by its cover, but 'family secrets, hidden love and Italy 'was always going to be a winner.
I know they say you should never judge a book by its cover, but 'family secrets, hidden love and Italy 'was always going to be a winner and this book certainly did not disappoint. The blossoming of Allie as the book progresses, and her surprising revelations makes for an interesting, fast-moving story. As with many stories, it is tempting to predict the ending, but I loved the subtle twists in this storyline, which made it harder to do so. You want to will Allie's relationship with Ed to work, just as you don't want her relationship with her father to be built on lies. A heartwarming, absorbing and lovely story, I enjoyed every page.
Perfect escapism. Catherine Isaac captures the heat and heart of Italy, mixing in the trials of relationships we can all understand too well.
Messy, Wonderful Us is a beautiful book of friendship, loss and discovery set around the stunning Lake Garda. Capturing the heat and the heart of Italy, Catherine Isaac whisks you away to the heady shores as you piece together the mystery, heartbreak and intrigue of family secrets. The rollercoaster emotions of relationships are instantly relatable, as you breathe in the lemon scents of self-discovery as you follow Allie and Ed on their journey around the lake, each other and their past. Perfect escapism.
A really nice holiday read. Very easy to get into and it carried you along all the way to the end.
I found this book enjoyable and very easy to read. I completed it in a few days. Its the story of discovery about love and family and where you come from. I found the characters likeable and relatable. The story was pleasant if a little predictable. Allie is on a journey of discovery following a family revelation she discovers at her grandmother's house. This leads her to question who she is and where she comes from. She goes on this journey with her best friend who is also going through his own issues at home. Allie is a strong career-minded woman and the change is unsettling for her. We follow her as she questions what's important to her and where her future lies.