I am delighted to be on the tour for Beth Moran's latest novel, Just the Way You Are which was published on 17th February by Boldwood Books.
A novel about friendship, romance and learning to love
yourself - just the way you are.
When Olivia Tennyson – or Ollie to her friends – was sixteen,
she wrote a Dream List of all the things she wanted for her life, including a
happy marriage and a family. But at twenty-nine, Ollie is single, living at
home with her over-protective and manipulative mother, and is feeling like her
dreams are getting further out of reach.
It’s time for a change.
It’s time to take matters into her own hands.
Without telling her mum, or more importantly, asking her
permission, Ollie finds the perfect place to start her new life. End Cottage
has a duck-egg blue front door, a garden that leads to acres of forest, and
definitely counts as her dream home.
Now all Ollie has to do is complete the rest of her list and
find out who she really is, before she can imagine any romance coming into her
life. After all, how is she going to find her dream man in the middle of a
forest…
My Thoughts
This book was a delight to read. You find yourself rooting for Ollie as she starts her new life and works her way through her list. She certainly proves herself to be a kind and empathic young woman and her vulnerabilities are clear. She also has a huge amount of courage and determination. You certainly feel as though you are on her journey with her. In Sam, you certainly have a candidate for her 'dream man' and although he has his own insecurities, he too proves himself to be dependable and a bit of a rock as their friendship develops.
Friends and family are major themes in the story. Some of the relationships are dysfunctional but there is always the air of hope about them that they can be healed. I enjoyed some of the other characters who Ollie met, especially at the library. Each of the characters are placed carefully in the story and tell you something about Ollie through her reaction to them. There are some difficult issues beneath the surface which are sensitively dealt with. A mixture of romance, humour, sad moments and sacrifice all add up to make this a lovely read.
In short: A coming of age story
About the Author
Beth Moran is the author of four novels, including the
bestselling Christmas Every Day. She regularly features on BBC Radio Nottingham
and is a trustee of the national women's network Free Range Chicks. She lives
on the outskirts of Sherwood Forest.
You can read my review of Christmas Every Day here and How not to be a Loser here and Take a Chance on Me here and We Belong Together here.
Thanks to Beth Moran, Boldwood Books and Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
Check out the rest of the tour!
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