On a crystal clear Mediterranean day, Briony McAllister sits playing with her four-year-old daughter, Katie, while she waits for her mother, Valerie, to join them. Valerie has recently moved to a picturesque town in southern Spain to finally leave behind her turbulent past and find a peace that has always eluded her. Briony has no idea that in a few moments' time her relationship with her mother will change irrevocably. As Katie plays, Briony pulls from her bag an old photo album, found in a box in her mother's new home. As she begins to study the faded photos, a letter falls to the ground. It is addressed to her. My Darling Briony, it begins. As Briony reads the words with mounting shock, realisation dawns. Her mother lied to her about what happened with her beloved grandmother Tessa all those years ago - and denied Briony that most precious of relationships, the type of relationship Valerie now enjoys with Katie. The lives of three generations of women are set to change forever as the past is revisited and the truth unfolds through the undelivered letters Tessa wrote to Briony over the years.
Secrets, lies, betrayals and sacrifices - the complex bonds between mothers, daughters and granddaughters are intricately explored as Patricia Scanlan takes us into the hearts and homes of a family at war.
With All My Love is a multi-generational story that focuses on the highs and lows of two families and the events that led to Valerie Harris cutting off all contact with her significant other's family. Patricia Scanlan's storytelling really brings the author into the lives of these characters and it was interesting to read how these complex characters interact for good or for ill.
While the plot was very interesting, it can be a bit of a frustrating read at times because a lot of the drama stems from a lack of communication between characters. It’s a good story but it can be a pretty stressful read at times.
My complete review of the title was originally posted at eclectictales.com: http://www.eclectictales.com/blog/2013/07/18/review-with-all-my-love/
