One magical night in Venice, Didi fell in love. But it ended - and he left without even saying goodbye.
Now, thirteen years on, Shay Mason is back.
The old spark is still there, but Didi's determined to ignore it. As manager of a stunning Cotswolds hotel, she's happy at last, and soon to be married. Anyway, Shay isn't staying. He's made a promise to his father. He's going to keep it. And then he'll be gone.
But Shay's return stirs up long-forgotten emotions, and the scandal that led him to leave raises its head once again. It's time for buried secrets to come to light. And it seems that this was someone's intention all along . . .
From the beloved author of IT STARTED WITH A SECRET comes a fabulous new novel about love, friendship and finding the way to your best life.
My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review as part of this #RandomThingsTours Blog Tour.
There is no better feeling than opening the first page of a brand new book from a favourite author. Jill Mansell is one of my all-time favourite authors. I have been reading her books for twenty years (crikey!) and I have never been let down. I think as she and I have matured, so has her writing and her characters. I can always empathise and relate to her stories, she is one in a million.
And Now You're Back begins thirteen years ago on a snowy night in Venice. Didi and Shay are in the city celebrating the birthday of a friend. Whilst they know each other, they come from very different households. Shay's father is in and out of prison and his mother is dead. Didi's family own a hotel and are comfortable. That night in Venice is the beginning of their passionate love affair.
The reader then meets Didi in the present day. She's now the manager of the family hotel and has a couple of broken engagements behind her, although she is happy with her current finance. She hasn't seen Shay for thirteen years, and it's clear that their break up was painful.
Now he is back. This Shay is rich and a successful businessman. No longer the odd one out, the one who the others feel sorry for. He's handsome and suave and they have some catching up to do. Shay is back because he promised his father that he would renovate their old family home. He'd rather not be there, but a promise is a promise.
It's clear that the old spark is still there and despite both Didi and Shay denying their feelings, they both have regrets. If only they would actually talk to each other about them!
As should be expected from this brilliant author, this is a story packed with colourful and intriguing characters. Each one of them is beautifully created and before you know it, they become part of your own day. As Didi and Shay battle with their feelings, the reader is behind them all of the way. There are conversations to be had, and secrets to be revealed; often painful but always so perfectly created.
As always, Jill Mansell has written a warm and uplifting story, centred around a fabulous community with the hotel at its heart. It was an utter joy to read. Total bliss and highly recommended by me.
And Now You're Back begins thirteen years ago on a snowy night in Venice. Didi and Shay are in the city celebrating the birthday of a friend. Whilst they know each other, they come from very different households. Shay's father is in and out of prison and his mother is dead. Didi's family own a hotel and are comfortable. That night in Venice is the beginning of their passionate love affair.
The reader then meets Didi in the present day. She's now the manager of the family hotel and has a couple of broken engagements behind her, although she is happy with her current finance. She hasn't seen Shay for thirteen years, and it's clear that their break up was painful.
Now he is back. This Shay is rich and a successful businessman. No longer the odd one out, the one who the others feel sorry for. He's handsome and suave and they have some catching up to do. Shay is back because he promised his father that he would renovate their old family home. He'd rather not be there, but a promise is a promise.
It's clear that the old spark is still there and despite both Didi and Shay denying their feelings, they both have regrets. If only they would actually talk to each other about them!
As should be expected from this brilliant author, this is a story packed with colourful and intriguing characters. Each one of them is beautifully created and before you know it, they become part of your own day. As Didi and Shay battle with their feelings, the reader is behind them all of the way. There are conversations to be had, and secrets to be revealed; often painful but always so perfectly created.
As always, Jill Mansell has written a warm and uplifting story, centred around a fabulous community with the hotel at its heart. It was an utter joy to read. Total bliss and highly recommended by me.
Jill's hobbies include buying stationery, particularly magical new colours of ink for the fountain pen she uses to write all her books – Jill is one of the few authors who still write their books by hand. Jill also loves people-watching and finding new characters to put in her novels. So when you’re out, make sure to always be on your best behaviour. And beware of beady-eyed authors carrying notebooks . .
www.jillmansell.co.uk
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