Wednesday 1 March 2017

Book Review - How to Mend a Broken Heart by Anna Mansell - #AroundTheUKIn144Books #SouthYorkshire

Amazon UK
Title: How to Mend a Broken Heart
Author: Anna Mansell
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: 1st March 2017
Rating: 4 Stars


Three strangers. Three broken hearts. Three shots at happiness. 

Life is good for nurse Kat. That is until the man she intended to marry legs it, she’s unexpectedly promoted to a position with too much responsibility, and Susan arrives on her ward under strange circumstances.

Susan is a mystery. She refuses to speak or interact with anyone, she’s obsessed with a book of fairy tales, and the only name in her diary is that of Rhys – a plumber she barely knows.

Down-to-earth Rhys is trying to get his life back on track after the death of his beloved brother. His mum is his priority, but then a call from Kat brings the enigmatic Susan into his life…

As the lives of these three lost strangers intertwine, will they find a way to lay ghosts past, present and future to rest? And when the chance comes to mend their broken hearts, will they be brave enough to take it?

Interesting debut novel, that should have been heart breaking in its emotion, but just didn't reach me the way I would have hoped or expected. 

I think I am lacking in the correct sorts of empathy to truly realise the emotion in this story, but even without shedding a tear, I could see just what a great story it is. 

We have on the surface three strangers, with one thing in common, they all have broken hearts and are dealing with them in different ways. 

Kat is trying to come to terms with her long term boyfriend cheating on her, and returns to work as an acting ward sister, after a few weeks break. She is instantly intrigued by the newest patient on the ward. 

Meet Susan, she is refusing to talk, and is dealing with her own problems in not the best way, and its lucky she is still alive and in hospital. She has no close friends or family, and the only contact in her diary is for Rhys, her plumber. 

Rhys, is grieving his brother's death, but when he is contacted to see his connection to Susan, and to see if he can help, goes above and beyond to try to help her. He is the only person she tries to connect to, and all of their lives are changed initially by the book of fairy tales. 

I was interested in the lives of the characters, and how they were dealing with the circumstances that author, Anna Mansell was producing for them. This is not a light and fluffy read, but equally there are some moments of levity, but on the whole if feels quite an even novel. I could see there was definitely emotion to be had, I just didn't seem to feel any of it. 

I liked the way the story had been crafted, and the differing points of view, especially Susan's story who I was most intrigued by. The way she has been written especially while in hospital, is sad, while also giving snippets into her psyche. 

Kat, Rhys and Susan's lives really do converge in this book, and it is fascinating to see how they developed and started to cope as the story progressed.  How to Mend a Broken Heart is a great story, that I enjoyed reading. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

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