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November 13, 2008 8:09 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Always and Forever by Cathy Kelly

I have read a number of Cathy Kelly books in the past. Some I've liked and others I was frustrated with. She is, because she is Irish and writes about women in Ireland, compared, perhaps unfairly, with Maeve Binchy. However, she's a talented and bestselling author, and if you choose the right book you can really get sucked in. The thing is, was Always and Forever going to do that?

Based in the beautiful town of Carrickwell we have Mel, Daisy and Cleo. Mel is a high flying career woman and mother of two who is busy and stressed trying to keep all the balls in the air. Daisy is in a settled relationship with her boyfriend and longing for a child. Cleo, fresh from her hotel management degree, is frustrated with the way her family is running the family hotel. When Leah opens Clouds Hill spa (which, incidentally, makes me think of wine every time I read it) their lives are eventually thrown together, giving them the courage to find out what really matters.

Or at least that is what the blurb on the back of the book says.

What I found was we had three women, each with separate lives and with their own individual struggles they must battle against. They finally get to know each other well over two thirds into the book and by then two of them have already decided what it is they are going to do. This in no way detracts from the quality of the story, far from it, it just wasn't quite what I was expecting. You know - three women getting together and putting the world to rights sort of thing.

Because of their individual stories we get to know the women really well and I could identify with each character. Leah, I found a little too good to be true, but by then I was well enough into the story not to care.

This is what is described as a feel good story. Warm, engaging, slightly formulaic and stereotypical perhaps, but a good yarn nevertheless.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Heart & Soul by Maeve Binchy

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Posted by Helen Redfern on November 13, 2008 in Irish Authors, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink

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