Two of a Kind

[Leah]

When I was offered the chance to host Yona Zeldis McDonough as part of her blog tour, I wasn’t 100% sure, but I said yes because I always love interviewing authors, and reading new books and Yona is an author I’ve never tried before. I really liked the sound of Two of a Kind, so as soon as it had downloaded to my Kindle, I decided to give it a read and I am SO glad I did, because it was such an enjoyable book.

Two of a Kind focuses on two single parents, Christina and Andy, who meet at a wedding. Christina is a interior designer, and Andy is an OBGYN, and they both have kids of a similar age; Jordan is a ballet dancer, and Oliver is a high-school drop-out, caught one too many times with pot, for his father’s liking. At first glance, neither Christina nor Andy like each other, but the more they get to know each other, and the less snappy and obnoxious Andy is, the more they realise they have in common and they soon find themselves falling in love, but with Andy’s hectic schedule and temperamental moods, Christina’s not 100% sure this is the relationship for her, but will they get their happy ever after?

I must admit, when we were first introduced to Andy I didn’t warm to him at all. Much like Christina, I found him rude, obnoxious, judgemental and holier-than-thou. Nothing seemed to ever be good enough for him, but as the book wore on, he seemed to relax a little. Yes, he still had his mood swings and a quick temper, but I warmed to him so much more. I loved Christina from the off. I loved how she’d pulled herself together after her husband died, I loved hearing about her decorating business and I was SO angry at how some of her customers treated her, particularly the loathesome Haversticks. Christina really made this book for me, she was just such a wonderful character. The character who surprised me most was Oliver. I thought he was just going to be a pot-head for the entire novel, but after he’s expelled from school, he blooms into his own, and I really liked how he pulled himself together and got himself sorted. I’d've rather he didn’t say ‘like’ all the time, because teenagers do not do that and if they do, they should be shot, but apart from that, I loved him so much.

I really, really enjoyed Two of a Kind, I can’t believe how much and I am so glad I decided to give it a read, because otherwise I’d have missed out on such a brilliant, well-written novel, with some really complex, but really warm characters. I loved how Yona Zeldis McDonough presented blending two families together. Once I started reading, I didn’t want to stop, because I just found it so easy to get lost in the lives of Andy, Christina, Oliver and Jordan, along with all of their friends and all of their troubles and dilemmas. I would definitely recommend this book, because it will surprise you. It’s thoughtful, warm, at times witty, and I look forward to delving into Yona Zeldis McDonough’s back catalogue because if it’s anything like Two of a Kind, it will be an amazing experience.