I thoroughly enjoyed Bella Osborne's The Library so I was delighted to be invited to be on the tour for her latest novel, The Girls which was published on April 14th by Aria.
Four old friends. Thrown back together after forty years
apart. What could possibly go wrong?
In the 1970s, The Girls were best friends sharing a house
and good times: Zara the famous diva actor, Val the uptight solicitor, Jackie
the wild child and Pauline the quirky introvert. Now they're in their twilight
years, and Zara suggests that they live with her to support each other through
old age.
Initially, being housemates again is just as much fun as in
their heyday. But then Zara reveals the real reason she asked them to move in
with her, and suddenly things take a sinister turn.
As the women confront their demons they come under the
spotlight of the press, the police and an angry parrot. With their lives
spiralling out of control can they save their friendships and each other?
My Thoughts
This is a highly entertaining story of four friends in their later years, who meet up again and spend time together. They are all distinct and different characters and the dynamic between each of them differs. Queen Bee over all of them appears to be Zara, who made it as an actress and has a celebrity profile. I enjoyed all the asides referring to actual celebrities throughout the story. However, behind the facade lurk some serious subjects, ranging from loneliness and depression, through guilt, abandonment to decisions of life and death.
This story takes you to a surprising setting which I will not mention for fear of spoiling the plot. I loved the descriptions of the life they found themselves living, and the characters they all met there. Friendship is of course an important thread in the story and ties which survive the years. The plot moves at a pace and carries you through to the end.
In short:an entertaining look at friendship
About the Author
Bella Osborne has been jotting down stories as far back as
she can remember but decided that 2013 would be the year that she finished a
full length novel. In 2016, her debut novel, It Started At Sunset Cottage, was
shortlisted for the Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year and RNA Joan
Hessayon New Writers Award. Bella's stories are about friendship, love and
coping with what life throws at you. She likes to find the humour in the darker
moments of life and weaves these into her stories. Bella believes that writing
your own story really is the best fun ever, closely followed by talking, eating
chocolate, drinking fizz and planning holidays. She lives in the Midlands, UK
with her lovely husband and wonderful daughter, who thankfully, both accept her
as she is (with mad morning hair and a penchant for skipping).
Thanks to Bella Osborne, Aria and Head of Zeus for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
Check out the rest of the tour!
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