The View from our Window L J Ryan Debbie Brady
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Ardmag book Club
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I decided to read this book as it is the first novel by my cousin LJ Ryan - Lorraine to me. I am not a big romance book reader but as it was family, I decided to give it a go. It had everything from romance, suspense, and mystery, so by Chapter 4 or 5 I knew I found the perfect book! After the main character’s husband dies, she moves her family from Ireland to France to make a new life and meets a loving French family. There’s lots of unknown and suspense in this romance, and it has a surprise twist close to the end of the book. To be honest, it grabbed my interest and my heart. It was a catching family drama that travelled from Ireland to France, down to Colombia and then back again, it was a mix of part romance, espionage thriller all in one book. I love great fiction and I love a story that has so much to offer when it is written well. This is a family drama, revolving around three people born on the same day with their lives overlapping with one another. Laurel, our heroine, is trying to escape her family and their deceit, as well as the problems her dead husband left behind. Paul, her childhood friend, is a rising star in Irish politics and has just been named Minister of Justice. Unfortunately, he is now landed with an investigation into Laurel’s parents’ business. And then there’s David, a French movie star - he’s returned to his parent’s home to help recover from a very nasty divorce that has cost him visitation rights with his children. Laurel, Paul, and David’s lives come together with very dramatic, life-threatening results. Now, I’ll admit this - in the beginning of the book I was a bit lost as the backstory was laid out. But the writing was so brilliantly done and the story so fascinating that I knew if I continued my perseverance would pay off, and the storyline did just that. I am unsure of what genre to put it in. There is romance which grows out of a lovely friendship Laurel begins with David’s family. There is international politics and conspiracy as we follow Paul through the investigation and Irish politics. There is espionage, drug runners and white-collar crime crossing all borders and family lines. It was a non-stop intense thrill ride with something for everyone. I laughed, I cried, I got angry and still was left wanting more! The View from our Window is currently shortlisted for the CAP Awards 2023! The Carousel Aware Prize (sponsored by ESB) provides a platform to showcase the cream of Irish Independent Authors, bring them to the attention of book shops, distributors, and the media in Ireland. Here is hoping The View from our Window wins!
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