Book Review: Bad Penny by Michele Gorman

Penny’s life is one big, fat secret… and everyone is about to find out.

Penny isn’t the girl she used to be, or the woman everyone thinks she is now. At 19, she bolted for London and never looked back. Nobody there knows who she was – not her care home colleagues, her boss, her clients or even her best friend and flat-mate. Auntie Mags is her only connection to her past, and she’s keeping schtum.

Oli can’t believe his luck. Not only is he about to fulfill his dream of really making a difference (assuming he wins his seat in the upcoming general election), now he’s met the perfect woman. Within a few dates he’s sure he wants to spend the rest of his life with Penny, and it’s all he can do not to shout it from the rooftops.

But Penny has hidden her secret by not shouting from any rooftops. In fact, the quieter, the better. So when Oli’s campaign swings into gear and the reporters start circling, it’s not only her future that’s about to come crashing down.

How can she find a happy ending with Oli when her past will definitely ruin his future, yet living with the lie will ruin their future together?

Then Penny’s past gets out of prison, and he’s about to turn up like a… bad penny.

*****

Penny has a secret and everyone is about to find out.

At 19, she fled to London. No one knows of her life before, not even her best friend/flatmate. Only her Auntie Mags knows her full history.

When Penny meets MP candidate, Oli, they hit it off. However, as Oli begins campaigning, it’s going to be harder for Penny to keep her secret.

Oh I love Michele’s novels so much. This book was no exception.

Penny was instantly likeable and I loved her.

You know there is more to her past than originally appears and, as more is revealed as the story progresses, I gained nothing but sympathy and understanding for her.

Oli is a charming love interest. I did want to shake him at one point but he’s the kind of person you want as a boyfriend and as an MP.

The plot moves along well and for me, there was never a dull moment. I couldn’t stop reading. I needed to know how it ended but at the same time, I had a book hangover when I had finished.

I don’t want to say much more as I am hoping you’ll give this book a read. It’s the perfect escape.

It covers love, friendship and acceptance of yourself. How you shouldn’t let past mistakes define you.

Bad Penny is packed full of warmth, humour and charm; just what I’ve come to expect from a Michele Gorman novel. I loved it.

(Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review. Click to buy Bad Penny on Amazon UK.) 

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Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.