This is one of those books I read to just shut up a friend that was insistent that I read the novel. Every now and then I read a novel and I feel the exact same way…Going between feelings of wanting to bully or beg someone to read a novel that moved me a great deal, so I truly do understand why she demanded I read it. I usually ignore these pleas…but not this time…I went straight out and bought the book and proceeded to read it. Maybe partly to shut her up…hahahaha…but also I wanted to be moved as well….

Well then…this novel did move me. I loved these characters. Especially the Nan. Birdie broke me heart over and over again, and once I knew it was completely broken she would do a fast jig on top of it to make sure it was well and truly crushed!

We know from the very start how this book ends. No need to read the blurb (but if you do, it’s right there as well), it is on the very first page. Knowing the ending didn’t stop me from hoping against hope that it was just some bad dream and that it would all be okay. Not only did I love the characters and not want them to suffer, I loved the son and wanted him to know not only the inside of happy. I wanted him to know it inside AND out. I wanted him to grow up and do great things, as I know was the only option for him as an adult. What a wonderful lad and caring lad!

McPartlin has written such a wonderful and moving novel. I look forward to reading more by her. She engages us in such a way that we are not just bystanders at a terrible train crash, unable to look away, but she leads us from a happy place to the site of the crash and not only does this, but makes us willing to follow her…We do not follow her blindly, we go willingly.

Awww…man, lots of really feel good moments in her writing, but it’s all just so bittersweet…

Don’t miss out on this one…it’s worth your time…and your tears…

Until next time…
Urania xx

Buy it now Somewhere Inside of Happy by Anna McPartlin