Ever After by Amanda Prowse

Happy publication day to Amanda Prowse, Ever After is OUT NOW.

Ever After by Amanda Prowse
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1.5 days

Pages - 416

Publisher - Lake Union

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads

If you’re given another chance at love, shouldn’t you take it?

Enya’s life has become small. Her husband’s death has left her bereft, and though she’s only in her early fifties, she’s happiest looking after her son, Aiden, his childhood sweetheart, Holly, and her beloved cat, Pickle.

So the spark she feels for the stranger who bumps into her car in the airport car park is a complete shock. But Enya can’t stop thinking about him.

Then, when Aiden makes a life-changing decision, Enya suddenly finds her close-knit community thrown into chaos. Her best friend, Jenny, isn’t speaking to her, Aiden’s future hangs in the balance, Holly is devastated, and the stranger from the car park is suddenly in her life.

Torn between family, love and loyalty, Enya faces a stay safely where she is, or take a leap into the unknown? Because maybe her happily-ever-after could have one more chapter yet…



My Review

Enya is still in the throws of grief, her husband died a few years ago but still she is getting by with life as it is. Her bestie Jenny lives practically next door and often nips in, day or middle of the night for a cuppa and gab. They are going into business together, their kids are growing up, in love and living with each other, despite her loss her life is content and she still sees her husbands "ghost" so she isn't lonely. She also has her wee cat Pickle and despite job upheaval everything seems to be going well. UNTIL.........she is at the airport dropping Aiden (her son) off when someone hits her car, a handsome man, the first to capture her attention since the lose of her husband. That moment changes things for Enya more than she could ever know!

Strap in guys, if you haven't read Prowse before you are in for a treat, if you have, grab your comfies and settle in! Aiden is Enya's pride and joy, her bestie's daughter and him have been destined to be together and done just that. When Aiden gets home from his trip he has made a decision that rips apart their cozy little community and Enya finds herself between a rock and a hard place.

This book captures so much of the everyday issues, love, grief, friendships, family and with Enya she has so much going on and trying to put out all the fires caused by one decision. I felt for her at times, other times I wanted to shake her GURL WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!? She made me feel for her, want to hug her, questioning why she would do/say XYZ. I think one of the talents Prowse has is making her characters quite real to life, even the ones making wild choices and behaviours. Life is like that sometimes, people behave selfishly, erratically, some are so good and kind that you wouldn't believe it unless you met them.

There are so many themes explored, friendships, fractured friendships, grief, how to react when you are loyal to so many people but they are on opposing sides. Feeling attraction after losing your other half and trying to navigate one crisis and or surprise after another. It is a bit chaos, sad, funny and a very good look at how much a mother can and does sacrifice for her loved ones, 4/5 for me this time.

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