Today I am delighted to feature Ellie Barker's second book in her Cherry Blossom Park Series, The Juggle.
Married couple Molly and Dan are forced to swap lives. But
will it bring them closer together or drive them even further apart?
It was only a blip. Just a little mistake. But in the world
of television, Dan Whitehead’s little slip could cost him his career.
His only chance is to swap roles with his wife, Molly, who
also works part-time, behind the scenes at the show. It’s just for a couple of
months. Easy. What’s so hard about looking after their twins and taking a step
away from the limelight for a bit? Only, it’s not quite as simple as Dan may
think. With more time, his past begins
to haunt him. Then, when a friendly school-mum offers him the comfort he needs,
is she everything she seems?
Meanwhile, Molly is more than happy in her sweatshirt and
leggings. Why would she want to go back on-screen when she doesn’t even like
leaving the house? But she needs to save her husband’s job. After all, it is
her fault. Then, when she’s offered an
exclusive interview on the other side of the world, her life in Cherry Blossom
Park is under threat. Why is she the only person to ever be offered this interview? Dan must never know the truth.
The Juggle is more than just a story about parents keeping
everything in the air. It’s about secrets from the past and hopes for the
future.
It asks the question – is a marriage every big enough for
two dreams to come true?
My Thoughts
This is a thoroughly enjoyable read which kept me hooked to the end. You follow the story of Molly and her husband, Dan, through alternating chapters as you are given their two viewpoints. On the way, you get to find out quite a lot about their past and come to understand the some of the tensions which seem to be pulling them apart. There are some interesting questions posed about marriage and relationships and how equal partners can ever truly be.
I particularly enjoyed the Help with Helen episodes which are peppered through the story. There are some amazing coincidences which you have to take at face value and a whole host of interesting and sometimes eccentric characters who give the story such colour. Both Molly and Dan show us their vulnerable side and all their insecurities spill out. I found it much easier to like Molly than Dan. For much of the book, Dan seems quite vain and selfish to me. It is only as the story develops that you realise that he is covering up a huge secret and is feeling pretty desperate as to how things can be put right.
In short: Secrets from the past and choices to be made
About the Author
Ellie Barker is a
television reporter and presenter. The Juggle is her second book. You can find
out more about Ellie at www.elliebarkerwrites.com
You can follow Ellie here: Instagram | Twitter
Book links: Amazon UK | Amazon US
Thanks to Ellie Barker, Flowerpot Publications Ltd and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
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