Reviewed by Lynn on
Continuing in my pursuit of reading more British English books, I thoroughly enjoyed my first novel by Lizzie Chantree.
Maud has led an unspectacular life in an effort to maintain her parents' expectations; mainly her mother's happiness. Yet, she still manages to find time to paint, around her parental approved career as a teaching assistant at a local school. Over the years she's painted many pictures but does she have talent?
Coming from an artistic family, Dot has taken over the job of managing the careers of the artistic ones because she lacks the talent to achieve the success they do. When a new unknown artist begins leaving random pieces of art around a local village, she is determined to track the person down. Only, the artist becomes a friend who helps her to find the inspiration she needs to create artistic pieces herself.
Nate may be a highly successful artist, but events from his past plus his temperamental personality make him a challenge for those close to him. When he meets his sister's new friend, he's ready to try to rebuild his personal life, but life is complicated and Maud is unavailable to him...for now.
I heartily appreciated the humorous and sometimes cheeky banter exchanged between the characters. It's realistic, relatable and funny against a narrative that kept my interest one hundred per cent of the time. The power of friendship is ever present and I enjoyed how Daisy and Elliott were loyal to their friends and how a villain managed to worm his way into the proceedings from an unlikely place. The overall feel of the novel is light and entertaining but with a little bit of darkness thrown in too. It's heart-warming when Dot finally realises she is worthy of her famous family name and someone close is 'the' someone special who has patiently waited in the wings for her to 'see' him.
The author's writing caused me to shed a few tears as the mixed emotions shared by Maud and Nate find a satisfying conclusion. It was unexpected (the tears) but not surprising as they realise they both want the same thing...to be together...and who doesn't love an uplifting happy ending?
What more can I say? Reading, If You Love Me I'm Yours is a thoroughly pleasurable way to pass some hours in the sunshine. I'm also happy to have found a new author to follow too.
***arc generously received courtesy of Crooked Cat Books***
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 8 July, 2018: Finished reading
- 8 July, 2018: Reviewed