I am happy to be featuring Helly Acton's latest novel, The Couple on the blog today. It was published by Zaffre on 27th May.
Millie is a perfectionist. She's happy, she's successful - and, with a
great support network of friends and family (and a very grumpy cat)
around her, she's never lonely. She has her dream job at a big tech firm
and is on track to become the company's youngest ever Innovation
Director. The last thing she needs is romance messing up her perfectly
organised world.
Besides, normal people just don't have romantic relationships. Everyone knows that being in a couple is a bit . . . well, odd.
Sure, everybody has that one coupled-up friend who messes up the
numbers at dinner parties, but it's a bit eccentric. You know, like
having a pet snake or living off the grid. Why rely on another person
for your own happiness? Why risk the humiliation of unrequited love or
the agony of a break-up when you can do everything yourself? No, Millie
is perfectly happy with her conventional single life.
So when
Millie lands a new project at work, launching a pill that stops you
falling in love, it seems like the opportunity of a lifetime. That is,
until she starts working with Ben. He's charming and funny, and Millie
feels an instant connection with him. Is this the spark that science and
society are trying to suppress?
Will Millie sacrifice everything she believes in for love?
My Thoughts
The most striking part of this novel, for me, is the turning on its head of some of the attitudes which we find in society today. Millie is living in a society which only values the single life. Coupledom is discouraged at all levels and regarded as bad for society, the family, the economy. It is a rather clever way to flag up the damage which dictatorial social attitudes can cause to individual freedom and happiness.
Millie leads a very controlled life with a tight social circle. Ben has a different approach to life and a completely different background. There is a lot of humour to be found in their interactions and you really buy into their connection.There is a touch of dystopia about the world they inhabit but their story is full of everyday details and warm moments.
In short: Can romance flourish in a brave new world?
About the Author
Helly Acton is a copywriter from London with past lives in
Zimbabwe, the Middle East and Australia. She studied Law at King's College
London before following a more creative path into advertising. At 26, Helly
took a career break to travel in Africa and Asia, before landing in Sydney. Six
years and one life-affirming break up later, she returned home and threw
herself into online dating in the city. Helly uses this experience as a single
woman in her early thirties - torn between settling down and savouring her
independence - as a source of inspiration.
Helly currently lives in Berkshire with her husband, Chris,
their little boy, Arlo, and their little dog, Milo. Sometimes, she gets their
names mixed up.
You can follow Helly here: Website | Twitter
Book link: Amazon UK
Thanks to Helly Acton, Zaffre and Tracy Fenton of Compulsive Readers for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
Check out the rest of the tour!
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