Before I Met You by Lisa Jewell.

Arrow, May 2013.

London, 1920. Arlette works in Liberty by day, and by night is caughty up in a glamorous whirl of parties, clubs, cocktails and jazz. But when tragedy strikes she flees the city, never to return.

Over half a century later, in the grungy mid-’90s, her granddaughter Betty arrives in London.

She can’t wait to begin her new life. But before she can do so, she must find the mysterious woman named in her grandmother’s will.

What she doesn’t know is that her search will uncover the heartbreaking secret that changed her grandmother’s life, and might also change hers for ever…

Laura’s Verdict: 

It’s not a secret that I’m a fan of Lisa’s book ever since I discovered Ralph’s Party. So I was looking forward to reading Before I Met You (also, who could resist such a gorgeous cover?) This book didn’t disappoint. 

This book is more in the style of The Making Of Us than Vince & Joy or 31 Dream St.

I was engrossed from start to finish. The characters are well developed and written. Betty and Arlette go through many changes from the beginning of the book until the end and I can relate to that. I moved to London when I was in my early twenties so I could relate to their fear, excitement and concerns about being in a new city by yourself and like them, I learnt a lot about myself so it was nice when those memories were nudged.

Both the scenes in the 1920’s and 90’s were set out well. I liked Betty’s story but I found myself being drawn to Arlette’s chapters more. Lisa’s writing makes it so atmospheric. By the end, I was sad and happy all at the same time. One part in particular was heartbreaking.

The mystery drawn out in the plot made me want to turn the page to find out what happened.  I like a good mystery when I’m trying to work out what’s going to happen especially when I’m still surprised at the end. It makes you realize how little you can know about your Parents or Grandparents.

Some characters amazed me with their behavior and some are not what they seem.

Overall, I loved this book and I think it’s amongst one of my favourite offerings from Lisa Jewell.

Not that I wasn’t excited before but I am now very much looking forward to reading The House We Grew Up In. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.