In Case You Missed It by Lindsey Kelk Book Review

After Ros touches back down in the UK after 3 years in US, she’s living in an exact replica of her bedroom in her parents’ shed, in need of a job and reconnecting with friends. She sends out a message to all the contacts in her old mobile phone and receives one back from an ex. Not just an ex but THE ex, the one that got away. As she revisits this romance and readjusts to her friends all having new lives, Ros is about to discover if her 20s really was all that or if things are about to get better.

I really enjoyed this book, Ros is flawed but likeable, you’ll laugh and cringe at her while cheering her on. Kelk does a great job at portraying that awkward stage in your early 30s where some of your friends are moving on and settling down, while some are single, free and want to continue on their 20s carefree lifestyle. There is romance but I think the heart of the story is the friendships and the journey Ros goes through personally. That it’s very easy to miss the past when you’ve got rose tinted glasses on! Another smash from Lindsey. I read this in May during lockdown and it was exactly what I was looking for then in a book. And I really want to go to a roller disco now!

The Confession by Jessie Burton Book Review

Three women. Elise Morceau, her daughter Rose Simmons and the link between them, author Constance Holden.

Elise and Connie meet in the 80s and instantly form a deep relationship together. Rose has been raised by her father, knowing nothing about her mother Elise who abandoned her as a baby. Until one day in her mid 30s her father gives her some books by Constance and tells Rose that she knew her mother and was the last person to see her. The story is told in a duel narrative, we follow Elise and Connie in the 80s when they move to LA as one of Connie's books in made into a movie, as well as present day when Rose pretends to be Laura Brown and takes a job as Connie's assistant in a bid find out more about her mother.

I loved Burton's writing, as I said before with The Muse it just feels so effortless, the descriptions never feel forced or contrived. Every word seems perfectly picked. I had no idea where this book was going as I read it, which just made it even more exciting to read. The book is so much about love, identity and longing, I loved seeing the parallels between Elise's life and Rose's life, from jobs, to relationships, how similarly they dealt with some issues and how different they were with other ones. Everything weaved together lovely, though I'd expect nothing less from Burton! Utterly compelling