Publisher: Sapere Books
Format: ebook
Genre: Romance
Synopsis
Sometimes the hardest person to save is yourself…
Marie Johnson fell in love with The Smugglers pub when she first moved to Dorset with her husband, Stephen.
But when Stephen’s wandering eye caused the
breakdown of their marriage, and the costs of running the pub started to mount, Marie felt her dreams crashing down around her.
With local celebrations planned for the 60th anniversary of D-Day, Marie is hopeful things will turn around.
But she could never have predicted the ways her life will soon be changed forever.
A charming American soldier walks into Marie’s life, but it becomes clear nothing is really as it seems...
Why is Marie suddenly plagued by headaches? Is her American soldier everything he seems to be?
Or could the D-Day re-enactments be stirring up something from the past…?
My Thoughts
The story opens with the village of Studland preparing to commemorate the D-Day landings with the unveiling of a memorial to six soldiers lost during Exercise Smash, one of the many rehearsals for D-Day.
Marie works as a chef in the family business, The Smugglers pub, with her estranged husband, Stephen, and son, Jude. The financial strain, long working hours and Stephen’s bullying put a lot of stress on Marie. She thinks this is the cause of her headaches which become debilitating migraines. The one way she copes is to escape the confines of the pub to walk the cliffs above Studland Bay.
An encounter with an American soldier, Corbin, on one of her solitary walks, brings a welcome diversion into her stressful life. Although his behaviour is odd, as are the strange feelings she experiences in his presence, Marie looks forward to further meetings.
Apart from Corbin, the commemoration brings other people into Marie’s life: George, a World War II veteran; his workaholic son Mark, and another American, Paxton, with whom she forms a romantic attachment.
The World War II element of Another You is what piqued my interest in this contemporary romance, a genre that I don’t often read. I hadn’t heard of Exercise Smash until this book came my way, although I was aware of other D-Day landing rehearsals where lives were lost. The military connection, past and present, is an integral part of the story as it brings Marie into contact with people who will play a pivotal role in her life, perhaps to change it forever or to offer support at a time when she needs it most.
I became completely absorbed in Marie’s life as she struggled with the pressures of running a busy pub, coping with her migraines and trying to avoid arguments with Stephen. With her son about to leave home to further his studies, the time has come for her to reassess her future, but all she can see is more of the same. That is, until she meets the enigmatic American soldier, Corbin, on the cliff top, and finds romance with another. However, there are some puzzling aspects to both these encounters, which eventually place Marie in a precarious situation.
While the plot touches on some serious issues: war, PTSD and mental abuse, love and friendship still dominate. In addition, Jane Cable highlights the importance of having the courage to pursue one's dreams and to stay true to oneself.
Another You is a romantic mystery with a hint of the paranormal. I was hooked by the historical connection and read on to discover a heartwarming romance, one that I am happy to recommend.
Thank you to Sapere Books for a complimentary copy of this book.
About the Author
Another You is a moving saga of family life in the 21st century which draws on the horrors of combat, both in modern times and World War Two as down-trodden Marie fights to reclaim her identity and discover what really matters to her.
Jane’s next book, Winter Skies, will be available for pre-order from Sapere Books soon.
Follow Jane Cable on Twitter, on Facebook, or find out more at www.janecable.com.
Purchase Another You at http://getbook.at/AnotherYou.
I really enjoyed this story and loved the little paranormal touch.
ReplyDeleteIt was good, wasn't it?
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