The Girl in the Corner by Amanda Prowse @MrsAmandaProwse #bookreview #contemporary

Title: The Girl in the Corner

Author: Amanda Prowse

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Publication Date: December 20, 2018

Page Count: 320

My rating: 5 stars

About the book:

From bestselling author Amanda Prowse comes the poignant tale of a woman who has always been there for her family. But will they be there for her?

Rae-Valentine and Howard were childhood sweethearts. They’ve shared twenty-five peaceful years since they were brought together by Dolly, Howard’s larger-than-life sister. But now, on the night of their wedding anniversary, Howard reveals a shocking betrayal that leaves Rae reeling.

Heartbroken, she takes Dolly on her would-be anniversary trip to Antigua and the two women drink and dance and talk like they haven’t in years. But in the break from real life, Rae realises her choices have always been made for her, and suddenly she’s questioning not only her fragile marriage but also her one-sided friendships. Is she really the pushover everyone else sees?

When Howard comes looking for reconciliation, Rae has a choice to make: keep the peace, as she always has, or put herself first for once and find out who she really is.

The Girl in the Corner by Amanda Prowse is a contemporary read that in typical Amanda Prowse fashion has a roller coaster of emotion oozing from the pages. There’s ups, there’s downs, with plenty of family drama to go around.

When Rae-Valentine was sixteen she met her lifelong best friend Dolly when the two ended up partnering up. The two girls couldn’t have been any more different from one another but that was exactly what drew them together when told to pick a partner. Dolly was ever the outgoing one with Rae as shy as can be but when Dolly offered to introduce Rae to her brother making plans to one day take their friendship into family who knew it would come true?

Now, Rae and her husband, Howard, are celebrating their twenty fifth wedding anniversary with Dolly right there by both of their sides. The couple has led a comfortable life with Howard working in the restaurant business with his family and Rae raising their children. But what should have been one of the happiest nights of their life quickly took a turn when Howard admitted to having an affair with a young waitress at the latest restaurant opening.

As usual with an Amanda Prowse title tissues may just very well may be necessary at some point during the book. The story takes a family and looks at marital break down from every possible angle and most will admit there is no right or wrong answer as to what Rae should/could do in that circumstance, this makes every turn of the page extremely thought provoking as you go on the journey with Rae. I couldn’t help but question every conversation and every move but just like a backseat driver isn’t at the wheel I had to patiently wait for Rae to come to her conclusion and was hooked the entire time.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Find this book online: 

Goodreads  /   Amazon

About the author:

Amanda Prowse likens her own life story to those she writes about in her books. After self-publishing her debut novel, Poppy Day, in 2011, she has gone on to author twenty novels and six novellas. Her books have been translated into a dozen languages and she regularly tops bestseller charts all over the world. Remaining true to her ethos, Amanda writes stories of ordinary women and their families who find their strength, courage and love tested in ways they never imagined. The most prolific female contemporary-fiction writer in the UK, with a legion of loyal readers, she goes from strength to strength. Being crowned ‘queen of domestic drama’ by the Daily Mail was one of her finest moments. Amanda is a regular contributor on TV and radio but her first love is, and will always be, writing.

You can find her online at http://www.amandaprowse.com, on Twitter @MrsAmandaProwse, and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/amandaprowsenogreaterlove.