Tuesday 21 June 2016

The Accidental Life of Greg Millar by Aimee Alexander



Lucy Arigho's first encounter with Greg Millar is far from promising, but she soon realises he possesses a charm that is impossible to resist. Just eight whirlwind weeks after their first meeting, level-headed career girl Lucy is seriously considering his pleas to marry him and asking herself if she could really be stepmother material.
But before Lucy can make a final decision about becoming part of Greg's world, events plunge her right into it. On holiday in the South of France, things start to unravel. Her future stepchildren won't accept her, the interfering nanny resents her, and they're stuck in a heatwave that won't let up. And then there's Greg. His behaviour becomes increasingly bizarre and Lucy begins to wonder whether his larger than life personality hides something darker - and whether she knows him at all. 








The Accidental Life of Greg Millar was published by Lake Union Publishing on 26 April 2016.


Although the title of this novel would make any reader assume that this is a story about Greg Millar, it is, in fact Lucy's story. Told by her, in her words.

I read this book whilst on holiday in Corfu, it's a couple of weeks ago now, and I do struggle to write a review if I don't do it immediately. However, I remember being really surprised by the turns that this story took. At first glance, and throughout the first few chapters it would be easy to assume that this is another run-of-the-mill romance. You know the kind of thing; two tortured souls meet and fall in love ......

It isn't, it really really isn't. Yes, there is a love story at the heart of this book, and a beautifully written one at that, but there are so many more layers to Lucy and Greg that add depth and feeling to the story.

Aimee Alexander creates characters that you can relate to, there are some awful people in this book, who do some pretty vile things, but there are also some wonderful people who take the story to another level, and even the vilest characters are perfectly formed.

Greg Millar is a complex and at times, very unnerving character and Lucy is forced to deal with not only his erratic behaviour, but also his two small children and their nanny who are determined that they are not going to share Greg with her. The French setting is very well done and the author has cleverly added to the suspense and discomfort with the addition of a stifling heatwave.

There's a lot packed into this book, the author deals with some pretty dark issues, and does it very well. There are twists and turns a plenty, a heavy dose of romance, some pretty dysfunctional characters and a wonderfully evocative setting.  I enjoyed The Accidental Life of Greg Millar very much and look forward to reading more from this author.

My thanks to the author who sent my copy for review.





Aimee Alexander is the pen name of Irish author, Denise Deegan. Denise writes contemporary teenage fiction under her own name. As Aimee Alexander, she writes contemporary adult fiction that focuses, largely, on family and relationships.

For more information about Aimee Alexander, visit www.aimeealexander.com
Follow her on Twitter @aimeealexbooks








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