Just One Look at You by Jill Mansell #Review

I am delighted to take part in the celebrations for another novel by Jill Mansell. Just One Look at You was published by Headline Review on January 29th.

 Venice. The perfect setting for romance, and for secrets to be shared.
Fen can’t believe her luck. A luxury holiday with her beloved grandmother 

Disa - what could be more delightful? It doesn’t cross her mind that she might fall in love. Or that love can bring complications . . 

Jamie can’t help it that women always fall for him, rather than for his kind-hearted friend Leon. Nor that only one of them got the looks (that would be Jamie). But how will he feel if the girl he’s drawn to only has eyes for Leon? 

Disa has a secret. A few weeks ago, an old letter in a file revealed a shocking truth about her late husband. She’s come to Venice to find out more.

There’s news on the way that will reverberate through all their lives, as Jill Mansell’s joyful, heartbreaking new novel takes readers on a roller coaster ride of emotion - and makes us believe in love again.

My Thoughts

 This story is a delight to read, with its varied characters and interlinking storylines. At its centre is Fen who bridges the generations and finds that a trip to Venice with her grandmother, Dina, sets in motion friendships which will have far reaching consequences. Dina has a few secrets in her past which emerge and explain the reason for her trip in the first place. 

    Although there is a great deal of romance and true love throughout the book, there is also a strong streak of sadness and emotion and family relationships are tested. In addition, you follow Jamie's friendship with Leon. They are both on the surface opposites but have a deep loyalty and understanding. I found all the characters in the story to be likeable and well drawn. The passengers who Fen and Dina met on the cruise in Italy were amusing and through Jamie's reaction to them, you saw what sort of person he was. With Venice glittering away, their time there seemed like an escape from real life as it turned out to be as events crashed down on their return.

In short: true love 

 

 

About the Author

Jill Mansell started writing fiction while working in the NHS, after she read a magazine
article that inspired her to join a local creative writing class. Since then she has written over
twenty-five Sunday Times bestsellers. Her acclaimed novels include The Wedding of the
Year, Promise Me, Should I Tell You?, And Now You’re Back, It Started with a Secret and You
and Me, Always. Jill’s books have sold over 14.5 million copies worldwide.
Jill lives in Bristol and for many years worked in the field of clinical neurophysiology. You’d think inventing characters and stories would be easier, but she can assure you it isn’t.

You can follow Jill here: 

Twitter @Jill Mansell
Facebook /OfficialJillMansell
Instagram @JillMansell
 

Book link: Amazon UK 

Thanks to Jill Mansell, Anne Cater of Random Things Tours and Headline Review for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.