Welcome to my review of To Love and Be Loved by Amanda Prowse. I love Prowse’s books so this was an easy selection and, of course, it didn’t disappoint!
In this life-affirming tale from bestselling author Amanda Prowse, one woman built a new life to escape her humiliation. Now, can she put the shame behind her and finally find happiness?
Young and desperately in love, Merrin had the whole world ahead of her. But just as her new life was about to start, the ground beneath her feet was cruelly swept away. Devastated by the humiliation, she ran far away from the beloved fishing village she had always called home to lick her wounds and escape her gossiping friends and neighbours.
It hasn’t been easy, but six years later Merrin has forged a new life for herself far from the sea, burying the impulsive girl she once was. But when tragedy strikes, she has no choice but to return to the village she swore she’d never set foot in again.
Reluctantly back in the arms of her community, Merrin begins to realise what she’s been missing out on all these years. As she begins to remember the person she used to be, she is forced to make choices about her future, and to question the past. What does she want from her life? Who is important to her? Who is to blame for everything that went wrong? And can she forgive them, let old wounds heal and finally be her true self again?
Amanda Prowse is an international bestselling author of twenty-eight novels published in dozens of languages. Her chart-topping titles What Have I Done?, Perfect Daughter, My Husband’s Wife, The Coordinates of Loss, The Girl in the Corner and The Things I Know have sold millions of copies around the world.
Other novels by Amanda Prowse include A Mother’s Story, which won the coveted Sainsbury’s eBook of the Year Award. Perfect Daughter was selected as a World Book Night title in 2016. She has been described by the Daily Mail as ‘the queen of family drama’.
Amanda is the most prolific writer of bestselling contemporary fiction in the UK today. Her titles consistently score the highest online review approval ratings across several genres.
A popular TV and radio personality, Amanda is a regular panellist on Channel 5’s Jeremy Vine show, as well as featuring on numerous daytime ITV programmes. She also makes countless guest appearances on national and independent radio stations, including LBC and talkRADIO, where she is well known for her insightful observations and infectious humour.
Amanda’s ambition is to create stories that keep people from turning off the bedside lamp at night, that ensure you walk every step with her great characters, and tales that fill your head so you can’t possibly read another book until the memory fades…
Amanda Prowse is one of my favourite authors, so when I saw this new book release, I couldn’t say no to reading it!
Merrin moved to live in Bristol after a massive humiliation left her heartbroken. She protects her heart, having a relationship with Miguel before admitting that she doesn’t love him and eventually moving back home to the beautiful Cornish coast where she has grown up and knows everyone. We see that sometimes bad things happen for good reasons from reading through.
The characters enhance the plot and are well developed. I loved Bella; she is the perfect best friend. She is positive, fun, and energetic, the ideal balance for Ruby and Merrin, who are often at odds. Merrin’s parents are the most loving, caring, delightful parents anyone could ask for. Digby’s mum, Loretta, seems cold and uncaring but is, in fact, quite affectionate; she just shows it oddly. I also really liked the descriptions of Lizzy the Lick, a local everyone has always talked about but who is just misunderstood. Despite being a tiny part of the story, she’s particularly well described.
The book has a beautiful, heart-warming ending. In fact, the whole book is heart-warming with a great plot and even better characters. It’s an easy but slow read and enjoyable throughout.
This looks at various types of love. Merrin’s parent’s long-term love where they can’t live without each other. The short-term love in the face of adversity that Bella experiences, the love that comes from Maturity (Ruby) and unrequited love with Mr & Mrs Mortimer. Each is a beautiful love story with some challenges that shows that love conquers all.
I loved this book with its strong themes around humanity, unexpected champions, life-affirming grace, and family love.
This is a perfect read, all cuddled up in front of the fire in the cold winter months.
Thanks to Netgalley, the Author and the Publisher for an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.
| Title | To Love and Be Loved |
| Author | Amanda Prowse |
| Series | N/A |
| Format | Kindle |
| Page Count | 346 Pages |
| Genre | Literary Fiction |
| Publisher | Lake Union Publishing |
| Release Date | 11th January 2022 |
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