The Year of Taking Chances

by Lucy Diamond

[Leah]

I'm a big fan of Lucy Diamond and I have been ever since I read her novel Hens Reunited back in 2009. Since then she's released a book every year and I've read the majority of them. Her novel One Night In Italy was one of my most favourite reads of 2014, so I was super excited to see that Lucy would be releasing two novels in 2015 - The Year of Taking Chances the first of them, out (quite aptly) on New Year's Day!

While The Year of Taking Chances had a title that made me think there were going to be leaps-aplenty in to the unknown, there weren't many chances taking during the novel. But I didn't mind that, as we slowly get to know out three main characters: Gemma, Caitlin and Saffron. They all meet at Gemma's New Year's Eve party and I loved all three of them instantly, despite the fact they're quite different to each other - Gemma's a home-maker, with the seemingly perfect life; Caitlin's just lost her mum and her relationship and Saffron finds herself unexpectadly pregnant. The three become fast friends and we see their trials and tribulations throughout the year.



The friendship between Gemma, Saffron and Caitlin was probably the best part of the novel to me, because I love good, well-written female friendships and I think Lucy Diamond is one of the best authors at making the friendships in her novels seem believable and realistic. She always nails it, and this time around I loved how they could all offer each other something - advice, help with work, just a comforting shoulder to lean on when needed. It was delightful to see.

I also loved that the girls could fend for themselves. Saffron was so headstrong about her pregnancy, and very happy to do it solo; Caitlin not only went through the pain of grief, but she also learned something absolutely shocking, but she kept her head on her shoulders; and Gemma, Gemma seemed to have the perfect life, until her hubby had an accident and it was tough seeing her fight her way back, but it was also really great because Gemma could quite easily have sad in a room and cried, but she didn't. She rolled up her socks, and did what had to be done, to help herself, her kids and Spencer, her husband.

Another thing I loved reading about was Gemma's dress-making. I'm not skilled like that, in any way, and it always fascinates me to read about people who can make dresses and who are very creative and it always makes me wish I had a bit of that in me, to be able to create something so tangible as Gemma does, it was a very, very inspiring plot-line and I loved seeing it blossom.



There wasn't anything majorly wrong about the novel, but I just didn't feel like I loved it as much as One Night In Italy, although I couldn't tell you why.



The Year of Taking Chances is another winner from Lucy Diamond. She creates such wonderful storylines, with unforgettable characters who have the type of friendships I dream of. I really loved the story to the novel, and I was kept entranced all day reading this wonderful novel. It's the perfect way to start the year. Now, let's see about those New Year's Resolutions, shall we?{Leah Loves} http://leah-loves.com http://leah-loves.com/books-year-taking-chances-lucy-diamond/